Door County, Wisconsin
The most common soil here is Summerville, on about 12% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Longrie and Omena come next.
About 68% of the land drains well, and 28% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 37% of it.
USDA rates 86% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 66% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 40% 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 Door 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Door 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onaway-Ossineke fine sandy loams, moraine, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 34K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Summerville loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Longrie loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 28K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Omena sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 21K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Namur loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Solona loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carbondale muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 15K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kewaunee silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 13K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Summerville loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angelica loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Bonduel loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Omena sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Longrie loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro muck | 6K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Manawa silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Markey muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 5K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kolberg silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rousseau fine sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Onaway fine sandy loam, moraine, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 5K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Omro silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | C | 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 66% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 86% 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.