Clark County, Wisconsin
The most common soil here is Loyal, on about 22% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Withee and Flambeau come next.
About 2% of the land drains well, and 49% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 82% of it.
USDA rates 99% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 97% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 3% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 39% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Clark County, Wisconsin, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Clark County, Wisconsin. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyal silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 171K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Withee silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 91K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairchild-Elmlake complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 51K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Merrillan-Veedum complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 32K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Marshfield silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 30K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Flambeau loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 27K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ludington-Fairchild sands, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Citypoint mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 20K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Humbird-Merrillan fine sandy loams, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 18K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Withee-Kert silt loams, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 16K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Almena silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 15K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Capitola-Marshfield-Veedum complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fallcreek-Merrillan complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Humbird fine sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kert silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hiles silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Veedum muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Moppet-Fordum complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Spencer silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loyal silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 9K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 99% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.