Waupaca County, Wisconsin
The most common soil here is Hortonville, on about 12% of the land: a fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Plainfield and Rosholt come next.
About 55% of the land drains well, and 38% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 40% of it.
USDA rates 94% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 50% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% 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 Waupaca 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 Waupaca 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hortonville fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 52K | Well drained | C | Not limited | Very limited |
| Cathro and Markey mucks | 35K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rosholt sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 30K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Symco loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 27K | Somewhat poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville muck, interdrumlin, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 26K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kennan, very bouldery and Kennan sandy loams, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 19K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Plainfield loamy sand, till plain, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 16K | Excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Seelyeville muck | 15K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kennan, very bouldery and Kennan sandy loams, 1 to 6 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Meehan loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Somewhat poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hortonville loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded | 12K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Kennan, very bouldery and Kennan sandy loams, 15 to 30 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Richford loamy sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Water | 11K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rosholt sandy loam, 6 to 15 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Brems loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 10K | Moderately well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Roscommon mucky loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Fordum loam | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Angelica silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 8K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Elderon-Rosholt complex, 12 to 30 percent slopes | 8K | 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 50% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 94% 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.