Outagamie County, Wisconsin
The most common soil here is Hortonville, on about 17% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Shiocton and Keowns come next.
About 46% of the land drains well, and 47% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 53% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 56% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 25% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 2% 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 Outagamie 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 C (slow infiltration, moderate 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 Outagamie 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hortonville silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 58K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Shiocton silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keowns silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 22K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Carbondale muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 21K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Symco silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 18K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Manawa silty clay loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kewaunee silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded | 15K | Well drained | D | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Onaway-Ossineke fine sandy loams, moraine, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Winneconne silty clay loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Wainola loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hortonville silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 11K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Solona silt loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rousseau loamy fine sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Solona-Ossineke complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Poygan silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally ponded, drained | 8K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cathro muck | 7K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nichols very fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Moderately well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Menominee loamy fine sand, loamy substratum, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Hortonville fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Winneconne silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | 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 56% 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 89% 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.