Soil series profile
Parkhill soil series
Parkhill is a poorly drained soil with a clay loam surface, mapped on 462,872 acres in 25 counties in MI. Hydrologic group C/D.
- Drainage class
- Poorly drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- C/D 93% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 7.5 slightly alkaline · range 7.3–7.5
- Mapped area
- 463k acres in 25 counties, 1 state
Typical Parkhill profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–7 in (Ap) | Clay loam | 7.3 | 34% | 34% | 3% |
| 7–12 in (Bg1) | Clay loam | 6.6 | 34% | 34% | 1% |
| 12–16 in (Bg2) | Loam | 6.6 | 20% | 42% | 1% |
| 16–30 in (Bg3) | Loam | 6.6 | 20% | 42% | 1% |
| 30–36 in (BCg) | Loam | 7.4 | 20% | 42% | 0.25% |
| 36–80 in (Cg) | Loam | 8.0 | 20% | 42% | 0.25% |
What this means
What Parkhill soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Parkhill soils is slightly alkaline: pH 7.5 (most land between 7.3 and 7.5). Acid-loving plants such as blueberries and azaleas struggle without amended beds, and some trees and shrubs show iron chlorosis (yellow leaves with green veins).
Loamy topsoil (loam, silt loam and similar) covers 100% of mapped Parkhill acres: generally the easiest soil to garden, holding moisture without staying waterlogged. The most common surface texture is loam (72% of mapped Parkhill acres).
100% of mapped Parkhill 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 100% 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 100% of the acres in mapped Parkhill 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 Parkhill soil is found
Mapped acres
Parkhill is mapped in Michigan.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Sanilac County, MI | 200,649 | 32.5% |
| Saginaw County, MI | 62,198 | 12.0% |
| Gratiot County, MI | 57,905 | 15.9% |
| St. Clair County, MI | 44,543 | 9.5% |
| Midland County, MI | 20,303 | 6.1% |
| Macomb County, MI | 18,689 | 6.1% |
| Isabella County, MI | 12,461 | 3.4% |
| Clinton County, MI | 10,291 | 2.8% |
| Genesee County, MI | 6,418 | 1.6% |
| Gladwin County, MI | 4,985 | 1.5% |
| Shiawassee County, MI | 4,970 | 1.4% |
| Huron County, MI | 3,870 | 0.7% |
| Eaton County, MI | 3,611 | 1.0% |
| Tuscola County, MI | 3,295 | 0.6% |
| Ingham County, MI | 2,821 | 0.8% |
| Bay County, MI | 2,433 | 0.9% |
| Livingston County, MI | 837 | 0.2% |
| Lapeer County, MI | 760 | 0.2% |
| Monroe County, MI | 667 | 0.2% |
| Wayne County, MI | 281 | 0.1% |
| Arenac County, MI | 227 | 0.1% |
| Barry County, MI | 213 | 0.1% |
| Mason County, MI | 201 | 0.1% |
| Ionia County, MI | 170 | 0.0% |
| Oakland County, MI | 74 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Parkhill acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 100.0% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Parkhill acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 0 inches (median where reported); within 18 inches on 100% of acres.
- Flooding
- Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
- Slope
- Typically 0–1% (median 0%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 4.4%.
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 | 100.0% |
| Very poorly drained | 0.0% |
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 | 0.0% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 6.6% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 93.4% |
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 Parkhill (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 462,872 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Parkhill components. The profile comes from the single largest Parkhill component. Full methodology.