Sawyer County, Wisconsin
The dominant drainage class is Moderately well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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.
| 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 |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 69% 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 86% 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.