Marinette County, Wisconsin
The most common soil here is Menahga, on about 16% of the land: a loamy sand, gritty and loose. Onaway and Markey come next.
About 59% of the land drains well, and 36% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 43% of it.
USDA rates 85% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 52% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 7% 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 Marinette 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 Spodosols — acidic forest soils with a distinctive leached layer, common under conifers. 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 Marinette 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menahga sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 85K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Lupton, Cathro, and Markey mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 73K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Menahga sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 50K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Onaway-Ossineke fine sandy loams, drumlin, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Seelyeville and Markey mucks, interdrumlin, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 45K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Au Gres loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Michigamme-Rock outcrop complex, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ishpeming-Rock outcrop complex, 4 to 15 percent slopes | 25K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Charlevoix fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Menahga-Mancelona-Menominee complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Deford and Cormant soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 19K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Deford and Leafriver soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 19K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Croswell loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 19K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arnheim silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wainola fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Menahga-Mancelona-Menominee complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Menahga sand, 15 to 25 percent slopes | 17K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sarona fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Menominee loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat 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 52% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 85% 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.