Soil series profile
Houghton soil series
Houghton is a very poorly drained soil with a muck surface, mapped on 1,069,284 acres in 219 counties across 7 states. Hydrologic group A/D.
- Drainage class
- Very poorly drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- A/D >99% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- Not reported
- Mapped area
- 1.1M acres in 219 counties, 7 states
Typical Houghton profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–12 in (Oa1) | Muck | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | 70% |
| 12–35 in (Oa2) | Muck | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | 75% |
| 35–80 in (Oa3) | Muck | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | 75% |
What this means
What Houghton soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Organic muck or peat is the most common topsoil (>99% of mapped Houghton acres). It is rich and holds water, but is often wet, can be acidic, and settles when drained. The most common surface texture is muck (93% of mapped Houghton acres).
100% of mapped Houghton acres is somewhat poorly to very poorly drained, so soil stays soggy for long spells after rain and in wet seasons. Raised beds, plants that tolerate wet feet, and not working the soil while wet all help.
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 100% 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 Houghton 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 Houghton soil is found
Mapped acres
Houghton is mapped in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and Ohio. The 60 counties with the most Houghton acres:
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge County, WI | 45,910 | 8.2% |
| Calhoun County, MI | 36,370 | 8.0% |
| Jackson County, MI | 35,220 | 7.8% |
| Jefferson County, WI | 29,719 | 8.4% |
| Oakland County, MI | 28,944 | 5.3% |
| Dane County, WI | 26,072 | 3.4% |
| Waushara County, WI | 25,346 | 6.3% |
| Marquette County, WI | 25,290 | 8.7% |
| Fond du Lac County, WI | 25,216 | 5.5% |
| Waukesha County, WI | 22,109 | 6.2% |
| Manitowoc County, WI | 22,034 | 5.8% |
| Washtenaw County, MI | 21,731 | 4.8% |
| Columbia County, WI | 21,700 | 4.4% |
| Barry County, MI | 21,202 | 6.0% |
| Kent County, MI | 20,493 | 3.8% |
| Hillsdale County, MI | 19,802 | 5.2% |
| Ingham County, MI | 19,668 | 5.5% |
| Kalamazoo County, MI | 18,727 | 5.2% |
| Cass County, MI | 18,608 | 5.9% |
| Van Buren County, MI | 18,116 | 4.7% |
| Washington County, WI | 17,693 | 6.5% |
| Lake County, IL | 16,931 | 6.1% |
| Walworth County, WI | 16,775 | 4.7% |
| Eaton County, MI | 15,219 | 4.1% |
| McHenry County, IL | 15,145 | 4.2% |
| Allegan County, MI | 15,077 | 2.8% |
| Clinton County, MI | 14,409 | 3.9% |
| LaGrange County, IN | 13,508 | 5.6% |
| Noble County, IN | 13,049 | 5.0% |
| St. Joseph County, MI | 12,902 | 4.0% |
| Winnebago County, WI | 12,882 | 4.6% |
| Kosciusko County, IN | 12,510 | 3.7% |
| Green Lake County, WI | 12,344 | 5.5% |
| Branch County, MI | 11,190 | 3.5% |
| Marshall County, IN | 10,867 | 3.8% |
| Fulton County, IN | 10,667 | 4.5% |
| Scott County, MN | 10,641 | 4.7% |
| Racine County, WI | 10,413 | 4.9% |
| Wright County, MN | 10,173 | 2.4% |
| Calumet County, WI | 9,687 | 4.7% |
| Lenawee County, MI | 9,575 | 2.0% |
| Livingston County, MI | 9,293 | 2.6% |
| Sheboygan County, WI | 9,265 | 2.8% |
| LaPorte County, IN | 8,985 | 2.3% |
| Hennepin County, MN | 8,962 | 2.5% |
| Steuben County, IN | 8,629 | 4.4% |
| St. Joseph County, IN | 8,419 | 2.9% |
| Berrien County, MI | 8,015 | 2.2% |
| Starke County, IN | 7,613 | 3.9% |
| Rice County, MN | 7,514 | 2.4% |
| Benzie County, MI | 7,342 | 3.6% |
| Meeker County, MN | 7,074 | 1.8% |
| Manistee County, MI | 6,484 | 1.9% |
| Kane County, IL | 6,452 | 2.0% |
| Carver County, MN | 6,380 | 2.8% |
| Kenosha County, WI | 6,307 | 3.7% |
| Tuscola County, MI | 5,973 | 1.2% |
| Porter County, IN | 5,723 | 2.2% |
| DeKalb County, IN | 5,681 | 2.5% |
| Jasper County, IN | 5,246 | 1.5% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Houghton acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 99.7% |
| Not rated | 0.3% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Houghton acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 0 inches (median where reported); within 18 inches on 100% of acres.
- Flooding
- Mapped as flooding on <1% of acres (<1% occasional, <1% frequent).
- Slope
- Typically 0–1% (median 1%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 70%.
Drainage class
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Well drained | 0.0% |
| Moderately well drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Very poorly drained | 100.0% |
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) | 0.0% |
| A/D: D as is, A if drained | 99.7% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 0.0% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 0.0% |
| Not rated | 0.3% |
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 Houghton (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 1,069,284 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Houghton components. The profile comes from the single largest Houghton component. Full methodology.