Soil Considerations

USDA Hydrological Soil Map - Michigan

USDA Map soil

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) classifies soils based on texture and water table depth into Hydrologic Soil Groups.

Example Texture of Each Soil Group

A: Sands or gravel

B: Sandy loam, loam, silt loam, and silt

C: Clay loam

D: Clay

Group A/D, B/D, C/D

Soils classified as A/D, B/D and C/D have a high watertable, which means low ability to move the water out of the root zone. If it is drained, it is considered as the first letter.

The table below outlines the various Michigan soil types. At various depths the Available Water Holding Capacity (AW) relates to the total crop available water holding potential between wilting point and field capacity.

Soil Type	Depth Range	AW capacity (in/in)
Au Gres	0 - 6	0.085
Au Gres	6 -12	0.08
Au Gres	12 - 18	0.075
Au Gres	18 - 24	0.065
Au Gres	24-30	0.065
Au Gres	30 - 36	0.065
Au Gres	36 - 42	0.065
Au Gres	42 - 48	0.065

Brady	0 - 6	0.135
Brady	6 -12	0.135
Brady	12 - 18	0.145
Brady	18 - 24	0.145
Brady	24-30	0.09
Brady	30 - 36	0.09
Brady	36 - 42	0.09
Brady	42 - 48	0.09

Bronson	0 - 6	0.14
Bronson	6 -12	0.14
Bronson	12 - 18	0.141667
Bronson	18 - 24	0.15
Bronson	24-30	0.15
Bronson	30 - 36	0.11
Bronson	36 - 42	0.07
Bronson	42 - 48	0.07

Croswell	0 - 6	0.105
Croswell	6 -12	0.07
Croswell	12 - 18	0.065
Croswell	18 - 24	0.065
Croswell	24-30	0.065
Croswell	30 - 36	0.065
Croswell	36 - 42	0.055
Croswell	42 - 48	0.055

Grayling	0 - 6	0.065
Grayling	6 -12	0.055
Grayling	12 - 18	0.055
Grayling	18 - 24	0.055
Grayling	24-30	0.055
Grayling	30 - 36	0.05
Grayling	36 - 42	0.05
Grayling	42 - 48	0.05

Hillsdale	0 - 6	0.155
Hillsdale	6 -12	0.1525
Hillsdale	12 - 18	0.15
Hillsdale	18 - 24	0.15
Hillsdale	24-30	0.143
Hillsdale	30 - 36	0.13
Hillsdale	36 - 42	0.13
Hillsdale	42 - 48	0.109

Kalamazoo	0 - 6	0.19
Kalamazoo	6 -12	0.19
Kalamazoo	12 - 18	0.17333
Kalamazoo	18 - 24	0.14
Kalamazoo	24-30	0.14
Kalamazoo	30 - 36	0.14
Kalamazoo	36 - 42	0.08
Kalamazoo	42 - 48	0.05

McBride	0 - 6	0.14
McBride	6 -12	0.125
McBride	12 - 18	0.125
McBride	18 - 24	0.125
McBride	24-30	0.125
McBride	30 - 36	0.125
McBride	36 - 42	0.125
McBride	42 - 48	0.135

Melita	0 - 6	0.095
Melita	6 -12	0.06
Melita	12 - 18	0.06
Melita	18 - 24	0.06
Melita	24-30	0.06
Melita	30 - 36	0.06
Melita	36 - 42	0.06
Melita	42 - 48	0.06

Montcalm	0 - 6	0.09
Montcalm	6 -12	0.075
Montcalm	12 - 18	0.075
Montcalm	18 - 24	0.075
Montcalm	24-30	0.075
Montcalm	30 - 36	0.06
Montcalm	36 - 42	0.06
Montcalm	42 - 48	0.06

Nottawa	0 - 6	0.125
Nottawa	6 -12	0.129
Nottawa	12 - 18	0.15
Nottawa	18 - 24	0.138
Nottawa	24-30	0.08
Nottawa	30 - 36	0.08
Nottawa	36 - 42	0.08
Nottawa	42 - 48	0.072

Oshtemo	0 - 6	0.125
Oshtemo	6 -12	0.125
Oshtemo	12 - 18	0.125
Oshtemo	18 - 24	0.15
Oshtemo	24-30	0.084167
Oshtemo	30 - 36	0.07
Oshtemo	36 - 42	0.07
Oshtemo	42 - 48	0.03

Sandy Loam	0 - 6	0.13
Sandy Loam	6 -12	0.13
Sandy Loam	12 - 18	0.13
Sandy Loam	18 - 24	0.13
Sandy Loam	24-30	0.13
Sandy Loam	30 - 36	0.1
Sandy Loam	36 - 42	0.1
Sandy Loam	42 - 48	0.08

Sandy Loam / Coarse Loam	0 - 6	0.13
Sandy Loam / Coarse Loam	6 -12	0.13
Sandy Loam / Coarse Loam	12 - 18	0.13
Sandy Loam / Coarse Loam	18 - 24	0.08
Sandy Loam / Coarse Loam	24-30	0.08
Sandy Loam / Coarse Loam	30 - 36	0.08
Sandy Loam / Coarse Loam	36 - 42	0.08
Sandy Loam / Coarse Loam	42 - 48	0.06

Schoolcraft	0 - 6	0.21
Schoolcraft	6 -12	0.21
Schoolcraft	12 - 18	0.155
Schoolcraft	18 - 24	0.155
Schoolcraft	24-30	0.149167
Schoolcraft	30 - 36	0.12
Schoolcraft	36 - 42	0.06
Schoolcraft	42 - 48	0.03

Spinks	0 - 6	0.09
Spinks	6 -12	0.09
Spinks	12 - 18	0.09
Spinks	18 - 24	0.09
Spinks	24-30	0.09
Spinks	30 - 36	0.06
Spinks	36 - 42	0.06
Spinks	42 - 48	0.06

Adrian	0 - 6	0.4
Adrian	6 -12	0.4
Adrian	12 - 18	0.4
Adrian	18 - 24	0.4
Adrian	24-30	0.4
Adrian	30 - 36	0.055
Adrian	36 - 42	0.055
Adrian	42 - 48	0.055

Algansee	0 - 6	0.11
Algansee	6 -12	0.11
Algansee	12 - 18	0.06
Algansee	18 - 24	0.06
Algansee	24-30	0.06
Algansee	30 - 36	0.06
Algansee	36 - 42	0.06
Algansee	42 - 48	0.06

Arkona	0 - 6	0.11
Arkona	6 -12	0.11
Arkona	12 - 18	0.085
Arkona	18 - 24	0.085
Arkona	24-30	0.085
Arkona	30 - 36	0.085
Arkona	36 - 42	0.1
Arkona	42 - 48	0.1

Aubbeenaubbee	0 - 6	0.17
Aubbeenaubbee	6 -12	0.115
Aubbeenaubbee	12 - 18	0.115
Aubbeenaubbee	18 - 24	0.17
Aubbeenaubbee	24-30	0.17
Aubbeenaubbee	30 - 36	0.145
Aubbeenaubbee	36 - 42	0.145
Aubbeenaubbee	42 - 48	0.145

Brevert	0 - 6	0.11
Brevert	6 -12	0.08
Brevert	12 - 18	0.08
Brevert	18 - 24	0.08
Brevert	24-30	0.08
Brevert	30 - 36	0.17
Brevert	36 - 42	0.17
Brevert	42 - 48	0.17

Capac	0 - 6	0.19
Capac	6 -12	0.19
Capac	12 - 18	0.16
Capac	18 - 24	0.16
Capac	24-30	0.16
Capac	30 - 36	0.16
Capac	36 - 42	0.16
Capac	42 - 48	0.15

Carlisle	0 - 6	0.4
Carlisle	6 -12	0.4
Carlisle	12 - 18	0.4
Carlisle	18 - 24	0.4
Carlisle	24-30	0.4
Carlisle	30 - 36	0.4
Carlisle	36 - 42	0.4
Carlisle	42 - 48	0.4

Coloma	0 - 6	0.075
Coloma	6 -12	0.075
Coloma	12 - 18	0.075
Coloma	18 - 24	0.075
Coloma	24-30	0.075
Coloma	30 - 36	0.075
Coloma	36 - 42	0.045
Coloma	42 - 48	0.045

Coral	0 - 6	0.18
Coral	6 -12	0.18
Coral	12 - 18	0.16
Coral	18 - 24	0.16
Coral	24-30	0.16
Coral	30 - 36	0.16
Coral	36 - 42	0.16
Coral	42 - 48	0.135

Corunna	0 - 6	0.18
Corunna	6 -12	0.18
Corunna	12 - 18	0.11
Corunna	18 - 24	0.11
Corunna	24-30	0.11
Corunna	30 - 36	0.11
Corunna	36 - 42	0.18
Corunna	42 - 48	0.18

Covert	0 - 6	0.105
Covert	6 -12	0.065
Covert	12 - 18	0.065
Covert	18 - 24	0.065
Covert	24-30	0.065
Covert	30 - 36	0.065
Covert	36 - 42	0.03
Covert	42 - 48	0.06

Edmore	0 - 6	0.105
Edmore	6 -12	0.47
Edmore	12 - 18	0.47
Edmore	18 - 24	0.47
Edmore	24-30	0.47
Edmore	30 - 36	0.47
Edmore	36 - 42	0.47
Edmore	42 - 48	0.075

Edwards	0 - 6	0.4
Edwards	6 -12	0.4
Edwards	12 - 18	0.4
Edwards	18 - 24	0.4
Edwards	24-30	0.4
Edwards	30 - 36	0.4
Edwards	36 - 42	0.4
Edwards	42 - 48	0.4

Epoufette	0 - 6	0.17
Epoufette	6 -12	0.17
Epoufette	12 - 18	0.13
Epoufette	18 - 24	0.13
Epoufette	24-30	0.13
Epoufette	30 - 36	0.065
Epoufette	36 - 42	0.065
Epoufette	42 - 48	0.065

Gladwin	0 - 6	0.11
Gladwin	6 -12	0.11
Gladwin	12 - 18	0.1
Gladwin	18 - 24	0.1
Gladwin	24-30	0.125
Gladwin	30 - 36	0.03
Gladwin	36 - 42	0.03
Gladwin	42 - 48	0.03

Glendora	0 - 6	0.11
Glendora	6 -12	0.08
Glendora	12 - 18	0.08
Glendora	18 - 24	0.08
Glendora	24-30	0.08
Glendora	30 - 36	0.08
Glendora	36 - 42	0.08
Glendora	42 - 48	0.08

Greenwood	0 - 6	0.6
Greenwood	6 -12	0.5
Greenwood	12 - 18	0.5
Greenwood	18 - 24	0.5
Greenwood	24-30	0.5
Greenwood	30 - 36	0.5
Greenwood	36 - 42	0.5
Greenwood	42 - 48	0.5

Houghton	0 - 6	0.4
Houghton	6 -12	0.4
Houghton	12 - 18	0.4
Houghton	18 - 24	0.4
Houghton	24-30	0.4
Houghton	30 - 36	0.4
Houghton	36 - 42	0.4
Houghton	42 - 48	0.4

Iosca	0 - 6	0.105
Iosca	6 -12	0.085
Iosca	12 - 18	0.085
Iosca	18 - 24	0.085
Iosca	24-30	0.085
Iosca	30 - 36	0.17
Iosca	36 - 42	0.17
Iosca	42 - 48	0.17

Isabella	0 - 6	0.14
Isabella	6 -12	0.125
Isabella	12 - 18	0.125
Isabella	18 - 24	0.125
Isabella	24-30	0.135
Isabella	30 - 36	0.135
Isabella	36 - 42	0.135
Isabella	42 - 48	0.135

Ithaca	0 - 6	0.22
Ithaca	6 -12	0.22
Ithaca	12 - 18	0.15
Ithaca	18 - 24	0.15
Ithaca	24-30	0.15
Ithaca	30 - 36	0.165
Ithaca	36 - 42	0.165
Ithaca	42 - 48	0.165

Kawkawlin	0 - 6	0.2
Kawkawlin	6 -12	0.16
Kawkawlin	12 - 18	0.15
Kawkawlin	18 - 24	0.15
Kawkawlin	24-30	0.15
Kawkawlin	30 - 36	0.165
Kawkawlin	36 - 42	0.165
Kawkawlin	42 - 48	0.165

Kerston	0 - 6	0.4
Kerston	6 -12	0.4
Kerston	12 - 18	0.4
Kerston	18 - 24	0.14
Kerston	24-30	0.4
Kerston	30 - 36	0.4
Kerston	36 - 42	0.4
Kerston	42 - 48	0.4

Leoni	0 - 6	0.11
Leoni	6 -12	0.06
Leoni	12 - 18	0.06
Leoni	18 - 24	0.06
Leoni	24-30	0.06
Leoni	30 - 36	0.02
Leoni	36 - 42	0.02
Leoni	42 - 48	0.02

Locke	0 - 6	0.18
Locke	6 -12	0.18
Locke	12 - 18	0.16
Locke	18 - 24	0.16
Locke	24-30	0.16
Locke	30 - 36	0.16
Locke	36 - 42	0.135
Locke	42 - 48	0.135

Loxley	0 - 6	0.5
Loxley	6 -12	0.4
Loxley	12 - 18	0.4
Loxley	18 - 24	0.4
Loxley	24-30	0.4
Loxley	30 - 36	0.4
Loxley	36 - 42	0.4
Loxley	42 - 48	0.4

Mancelona	0 - 6	0.015
Mancelona	6 -12	0.015
Mancelona	12 - 18	0.065
Mancelona	18 - 24	0.065
Mancelona	24-30	0.065
Mancelona	30 - 36	0.065
Mancelona	36 - 42	0.08
Mancelona	42 - 48	0.04

Marlette	0 - 6	0.135
Marlette	6 -12	0.135
Marlette	12 - 18	0.9
Marlette	18 - 24	0.9
Marlette	24-30	0.9
Marlette	30 - 36	0.9
Marlette	36 - 42	0.155
Marlette	42 - 48	0.155

Matea	0 - 6	0.11
Matea	6 -12	0.11
Matea	12 - 18	0.085
Matea	18 - 24	0.085
Matea	24-30	17
Matea	30 - 36	0.12
Matea	36 - 42	0.12
Matea	42 - 48	0.12

McBride	0 - 6	0.14
McBride	6 -12	0.125
McBride	12 - 18	0.125
McBride	18 - 24	0.125
McBride	24-30	0.125
McBride	30 - 36	0.125
McBride	36 - 42	0.125
McBride	42 - 48	0.135

Mecosta	0 - 6	0.06
Mecosta	6 -12	0.08
Mecosta	12 - 18	0.03
Mecosta	18 - 24	0.06
Mecosta	24-30	0.02
Mecosta	30 - 36	0.02
Mecosta	36 - 42	0.02
Mecosta	42 - 48	0.02

Nester	0 - 6	0.205
Nester	6 -12	0.155
Nester	12 - 18	0.15
Nester	18 - 24	0.15
Nester	24-30	0.15
Nester	30 - 36	0.03
Nester	36 - 42	0.03
Nester	42 - 48	0.03

Newago	0 - 6	0.205
Newago	6 -12	0.205
Newago	12 - 18	0.205
Newago	18 - 24	0.145
Newago	24-30	0.145
Newago	30 - 36	0.145
Newago	36 - 42	0.045
Newago	42 - 48	0.045

Palo	0 - 6	0.14
Palo	6 -12	0.15
Palo	12 - 18	0.15
Palo	18 - 24	0.15
Palo	24-30	0.15
Palo	30 - 36	0.03
Palo	36 - 42	0.03
Palo	42 - 48	0.03

Palms	0 - 6	0.4
Palms	6 -12	0.4
Palms	12 - 18	0.4
Palms	18 - 24	0.4
Palms	24-30	0.4
Palms	30 - 36	0.4
Palms	36 - 42	0.18
Palms	42 - 48	0.18

Perrinton	0 - 6	0.22
Perrinton	6 -12	0.15
Perrinton	12 - 18	0.15
Perrinton	18 - 24	0.15
Perrinton	24-30	0.15
Perrinton	30 - 36	0.17
Perrinton	36 - 42	0.17
Perrinton	42 - 48	0.17

Pipestone	0 - 6	0.085
Pipestone	6 -12	0.085
Pipestone	12 - 18	0.075
Pipestone	18 - 24	0.075
Pipestone	24-30	0.06
Pipestone	30 - 36	0.06
Pipestone	36 - 42	0.06
Pipestone	42 - 48	0.06

Plainfield	0 - 6	0.065
Plainfield	6 -12	0.065
Plainfield	12 - 18	0.065
Plainfield	18 - 24	0.065
Plainfield	24-30	0.055
Plainfield	30 - 36	0.055
Plainfield	36 - 42	0.055
Plainfield	42 - 48	0.055

Remus	0 - 6	0.14
Remus	6 -12	0.125
Remus	12 - 18	0.12
Remus	18 - 24	0.12
Remus	24-30	0.12
Remus	30 - 36	0.12
Remus	36 - 42	0.12
Remus	42 - 48	0.12

Rifle	0 - 6	0.4
Rifle	6 -12	0.4
Rifle	12 - 18	0.4
Rifle	18 - 24	0.4
Rifle	24-30	0.4
Rifle	30 - 36	0.4
Rifle	36 - 42	0.4
Rifle	42 - 48	0.4

Riverdale	0 - 6	0.09
Riverdale	6 -12	0.08
Riverdale	12 - 18	0.08
Riverdale	18 - 24	0.08
Riverdale	24-30	0.08
Riverdale	30 - 36	0.08
Riverdale	36 - 42	0.09
Riverdale	42 - 48	0.03

Ronald	0 - 6	0.135
Ronald	6 -12	0.135
Ronald	12 - 18	0.175
Ronald	18 - 24	0.175
Ronald	24-30	0.175
Ronald	30 - 36	0.175
Ronald	36 - 42	0.03
Ronald	42 - 48	0.03

Roscommon	0 - 6	0.07
Roscommon	6 -12	0.095
Roscommon	12 - 18	0.095
Roscommon	18 - 24	0.095
Roscommon	24-30	0.095
Roscommon	30 - 36	0.075
Roscommon	36 - 42	0.075
Roscommon	42 - 48	0.075

Rousseau	0 - 6	0.105
Rousseau	6 -12	0.105
Rousseau	12 - 18	0.08
Rousseau	18 - 24	0.08
Rousseau	24-30	0.06
Rousseau	30 - 36	0.06
Rousseau	36 - 42	0.06
Rousseau	42 - 48	0.06

Saugatauk	0 - 6	0.08
Saugatauk	6 -12	0.07
Saugatauk	12 - 18	0.07
Saugatauk	18 - 24	0.05
Saugatauk	24-30	0.05
Saugatauk	30 - 36	0.05
Saugatauk	36 - 42	0.05
Saugatauk	42 - 48	0.05

Sims	0 - 6	0.2
Sims	6 -12	0.17
Sims	12 - 18	0.17
Sims	18 - 24	0.17
Sims	24-30	0.17
Sims	30 - 36	0.165
Sims	36 - 42	0.165
Sims	42 - 48	0.165

Sparta	0 - 6	0.105
Sparta	6 -12	0.105
Sparta	12 - 18	0.08
Sparta	18 - 24	0.08
Sparta	24-30	0.06
Sparta	30 - 36	0.06
Sparta	36 - 42	0.06
Sparta	42 - 48	0.06

Tewas	0 - 6	0.375
Tewas	6 -12	0.375
Tewas	12 - 18	0.375
Tewas	18 - 24	0.375
Tewas	24-30	0.375
Tewas	30 - 36	0.375
Tewas	36 - 42	0.055
Tewas	42 - 48	0.055

Thetford	0 - 6	0.115
Thetford	6 -12	0.115
Thetford	12 - 18	0.115
Thetford	18 - 24	0.115
Thetford	24-30	0.115
Thetford	30 - 36	0.105
Thetford	36 - 42	0.105
Thetford	42 - 48	0.105

Tustin	0 - 6	0.22
Tustin	6 -12	0.22
Tustin	12 - 18	0.22
Tustin	18 - 24	0.22
Tustin	24-30	0.22
Tustin	30 - 36	0.135
Tustin	36 - 42	0.135
Tustin	42 - 48	0.135

Vestaburg	0 - 6	0.13
Vestaburg	6 -12	0.13
Vestaburg	12 - 18	0.07
Vestaburg	18 - 24	0.07
Vestaburg	24-30	0.07
Vestaburg	30 - 36	0.07
Vestaburg	36 - 42	0.03
Vestaburg	42 - 48	0.03

Washtenaw	0 - 6	0.23
Washtenaw	6 -12	0.23
Washtenaw	12 - 18	0.21
Washtenaw	18 - 24	0.21
Washtenaw	24-30	0.21
Washtenaw	30 - 36	0.21
Washtenaw	36 - 42	0.175
Washtenaw	42 - 48	0.175

Wauseon	0 - 6	0.155
Wauseon	6 -12	0.155
Wauseon	12 - 18	0.11
Wauseon	18 - 24	0.11
Wauseon	24-30	0.13
Wauseon	30 - 36	0.13
Wauseon	36 - 42	0.13
Wauseon	42 - 48	0.13

Wixom	0 - 6	0.11
Wixom	6 -12	0.11
Wixom	12 - 18	0.085
Wixom	18 - 24	0.085
Wixom	24-30	0.17
Wixom	30 - 36	0.17
Wixom	36 - 42	0.17
Wixom	42 - 48	0.17

Ziegenfuss	0 - 6	0.175
Ziegenfuss	6 -12	0.17
Ziegenfuss	12 - 18	0.17
Ziegenfuss	18 - 24	0.165
Ziegenfuss	24-30	0.165
Ziegenfuss	30 - 36	0.165
Ziegenfuss	36 - 42	0.165
Ziegenfuss	42 - 48	0.165

Elston	0 - 6	0.12
Elston	6 -12	0.15
Elston	12 - 18	0.15
Elston	18 - 24	0.18
Elston	24-30	0.1
Elston	30 - 36	0.1
Elston	36 - 42	0.1
Elston	42 - 48	0.06

Fox	0 - 6	0.14
Fox	6 -12	0.14
Fox	12 - 18	0.14
Fox	18 - 24	0.13
Fox	24-30	0.13
Fox	30 - 36	0.13
Fox	36 - 42	0.07
Fox	42 - 48	0.05

MSU Extension Irrigation

USDA Hydrological Soil Map - Michigan

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) classifies soils based on texture and water table depth into Hydrologic Soil Groups.

Group A/D, B/D, C/D

The table below outlines the various Michigan soil types. At various depths the Available Water Holding Capacity (AW) relates to the total crop available water holding potential between wilting point and field capacity.

MSU Extension Irrigation