Price County, Wisconsin
The most common soil here is Magnor, on about 16% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Freeon and Cathro come next.
About 13% of the land drains well, and 58% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 72% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 89% 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.
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 Price 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 Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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 Price 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnor, very stony and Magnor silt loams, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 127K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lupton and Cathro soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 68K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Capitola-Cebana complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes, very stony | 41K | Very poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Haplosaprists peats and mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 31K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loxley and Beseman soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 31K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Magnor-Freeon complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, very stony | 30K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lupton, Cathro, and Tawas soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 23K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Freeon, very stony and Freeon silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 20K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 19K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Shanagolden fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, very stony | 17K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loxley, Beseman, and Dawson peats, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 16K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chequamegon silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, very stony | 15K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Newood, very stony-Magnor, very stony-Cathro complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Peeksville fine sandy loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes, very stony | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Magnor, very stony-Ossmer complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Shanagolden-Pence complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ossmer silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Padus sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Newood, very stony-Pesabic, very stony-Cathro complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Newood fine sandy loam, drumlins, 2 to 6 percent slopes, very stony | 9K | 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 89% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.