Sawyer County, Wisconsin
The most common soil here is Freeon, on about 7% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Magnor and Pence come next.
About 30% of the land drains well, and 32% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 55% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 72% 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.
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 Sawyer 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 Moderately well 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 Sawyer 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 | 63K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 62K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Lupton and Cathro soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 41K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Loxley and Beseman soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 37K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Freeon, very stony and Freeon silt loams, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 31K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chequamegon silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, very stony | 29K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Freeon, very stony and Freeon silt loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sconsin silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lupton, Cathro, and Tawas soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 19K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Keweenaw-Pence complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 17K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Padus sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 15K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pence sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Loxley, Beseman, and Dawson peats, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 14K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Butternut silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 14K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Padus sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Padus-Pence-Keweenaw complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes, stony | 13K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Padus-Pence-Keweenaw complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes, stony | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pence sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Chequamegon silt loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes, very stony | 11K | Moderately well drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pence sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 11K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | 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 72% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 93% 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
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.