Vilas County, Wisconsin
The dominant drainage class is Excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). 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 Vilas County, Wisconsin.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 97K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Loxley, Greenwood, and Dawson peats, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 52K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 49K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sayner-Rubicon complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 48K | Excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Sayner-Rubicon complex, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 42K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville and Markey mucks, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 36K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Champion silt loam, 6 to 20 percent slopes | 23K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pence sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Gogebic-Fence-Pence complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 22K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Karlin loamy fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 21K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Croswell sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 21K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rubicon sand, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 20K | Excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Pence sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Gogebic-Pence complex, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Padus sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Sayner-Rubicon complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Champion silt loam, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 13K | Moderately well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Padus sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Siskiwit-Vilas complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes, stony | 11K | Moderately well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pence sandy loam, 15 to 35 percent slopes | 9K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 44% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 82% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.