Jackson County, Wisconsin
The most common soil here is Tarr, on about 12% of the land: a sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Seaton and Boone come next.
About 50% of the land drains well, and 36% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 37% of it.
USDA rates 92% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 58% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 30% 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 Jackson 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 Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low 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 Jackson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarr sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 65K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Ironrun-Ponycreek complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 44K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boone-Elevasil complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes, rocky | 31K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rockdam sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Moderately well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Dawsil mucky peat, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 25K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Council-Elevasil-Norden complex, 20 to 45 percent slopes, rocky | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seaton silt loam, driftless valley, 6 to 12 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 24K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Council and Seaton soils, 12 to 20 percent slopes, moderately eroded | 24K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loxley peat, pediment, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 22K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fairchild-Elmlake complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Boone sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 16K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Bilson sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Tarr sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 13K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ponycreek-Dawsil complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 13K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Merrillan-Veedum complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 11K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Merrillan fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ironrun sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gosil loamy sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Norden-Seaton silt loams, 12 to 20 percent slopes, eroded | 8K | Well drained | B | 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 58% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 92% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.