Soil series profile
Gogebic soil series
Gogebic is a moderately well drained soil with a fine sandy loam surface, mapped on 599,590 acres in 10 counties across 2 states. Hydrologic group D.
- Drainage class
- Moderately well drained 98% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- D 97% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 4.5 very strongly acidic · range 3.9–4.5
- Mapped area
- 600k acres in 10 counties, 2 states
Typical Gogebic profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–1 in (Oe) | Moderately decomposed plant material | Not reported | 5% | 5% | 75% |
| 1–4 in (A) | Fine sandy loam | 4.5 | 6% | 54% | 6% |
| 4–5 in (E) | Fine sandy loam | 4.5 | 5% | 56% | 1% |
| 5–9 in (Bhs) | Fine sandy loam | 4.6 | 5% | 60% | 4% |
| 9–20 in (Bs) | Fine sandy loam | 4.8 | 5% | 60% | 2% |
| 20–30 in (2E/Bx) | Gravelly fine sandy loam | 5.4 | 6% | 64% | 0.25% |
| 30–43 in (2B/Ex) | Fine sandy loam | 5.4 | 8% | 64% | 0.25% |
| 43–51 in (2Bt) | Fine sandy loam | 5.8 | 9% | 62% | 0.15% |
| 51–59 in (2BC) | Fine sandy loam | 5.8 | 5% | 68% | 0.1% |
| 59–79 in (2C) | Gravelly fine sandy loam | 5.8 | 5% | 69% | 0.05% |
What this means
What Gogebic soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Gogebic soils is very strongly acidic: pH 4.5 (most land between 3.9 and 4.5). Most vegetables and lawn grasses do best around 6.0 to 7.0, so lime is often needed; blueberries, azaleas and rhododendrons like it as it is.
Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 97% of mapped Gogebic acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is fine sandy loam (62% of mapped Gogebic acres).
>99% of mapped Gogebic acres is moderately well to excessively drained, which suits most garden plants.
For lawns and yards
On >99% of mapped acres, rain soaks in slowly (hydrologic groups C and D, including dual groups that are D until drained). Expect runoff and puddles after heavy rain: core-aerate compacted lawns and keep ground sloping away from foundations.
A seasonal high water table comes within 18 inches of the surface on >99% of mapped acres, often in spring. Basements, sump pumps and lawns in low spots feel it first.
For a septic system
For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates >99% of the acres in mapped Gogebic soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited.
Where the soil is very limited (slow permeability, a high water table, flooding, shallow bedrock or steep slopes), alternative systems such as mound or sand-filter designs are common and cost more.
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Where Gogebic soil is found
Mapped acres
Gogebic is mapped in Michigan and Wisconsin.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Gogebic County, MI | 259,161 | 36.8% |
| Iron County, WI | 109,803 | 22.7% |
| Ontonagon County, MI | 70,004 | 8.4% |
| Bayfield County, WI | 63,523 | 6.5% |
| Ashland County, WI | 52,796 | 7.9% |
| Vilas County, WI | 27,834 | 5.0% |
| Marquette County, MI | 7,494 | 0.6% |
| Iron County, MI | 7,386 | 1.0% |
| Houghton County, MI | 1,567 | 0.2% |
| Douglas County, WI | 21 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Gogebic acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 99.9% |
| Not rated | 0.1% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Gogebic acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 1.0 feet (12 in) (median where reported); within 18 inches on >99% of acres.
- Flooding
- Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
- Slope
- Typically 4–15% (median 8%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 6%.
Drainage class
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Well drained | 2.0% |
| Moderately well drained | 97.9% |
| Somewhat poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Very poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Not rated | 0.1% |
Hydrologic soil group
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) | 0.0% |
| B: moderate infiltration | 0.0% |
| C: slow infiltration | 0.0% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 97.4% |
| A/D: D as is, A if drained | 0.0% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 0.0% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 2.5% |
| Not rated | 0.1% |
Sources & data dates
- Source
- USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried through Soil Data Access. Public domain.
- Data date
- SSURGO as published on November 3, 2026 (most recent survey area update October 26, 2026). NRCS refreshes SSURGO each October.
- Scope
- All map unit components named Gogebic (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 599,590 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Gogebic components. The profile comes from the single largest Gogebic component. Full methodology.