Shawano County, Wisconsin
The most common soil here is Rosholt, on about 9% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Kennan and Solona come next.
About 51% of the land drains well, and 41% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 49% of it.
USDA rates 80% 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.
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 Shawano 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 A (high infiltration, low 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 Shawano 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lupton, Cathro, and Markey mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 57K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rosholt sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Onaway-Ossineke fine sandy loams, moraine, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 38K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Solona loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 36K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tilleda fine sandy loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 31K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kennan, very bouldery and Kennan sandy loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 25K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kennan, very bouldery and Kennan sandy loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Oesterle sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 17K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Minocqua muck, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 16K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Menahga loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Markey and Cathro mucks, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 12K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rosholt sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Water | 11K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Kennan, very bouldery and Kennan sandy loams, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Menominee loamy sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Seelyeville muck, interdrumlin, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Solona-Ossineke complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fordum loam | 10K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Onaway fine sandy loam, moraine, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 9K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Roscommon mucky loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | A/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 52% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 80% 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.