Soil series profile
Pipestone soil series
Pipestone is a somewhat poorly drained soil with a sand surface, mapped on 223,022 acres in 41 counties across 5 states. Hydrologic group A/D.
- Drainage class
- Somewhat poorly drained 94% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- A/D >99% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- 4.7 very strongly acidic · range 4.5–6.3
- Mapped area
- 223k acres in 41 counties, 5 states
Typical Pipestone profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4 in (A) | Sand | 4.7 | 2% | 89% | 6.2% |
| 4–9 in (E) | Sand | 5.0 | 1% | 92% | 1.3% |
| 9–17 in (Bhs) | Sand | 4.9 | 1% | 94% | 4.5% |
| 17–31 in (Bs) | Sand | 5.8 | 1% | 95% | 0.7% |
| 31–79 in (C) | Sand | 5.6 | 0% | 99% | 0.2% |
What this means
What Pipestone soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Typical topsoil in Pipestone soils is very strongly acidic: pH 4.7 (most land between 4.5 and 6.3). 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.
Sandy topsoil covers >99% of mapped Pipestone acres. It drains fast and warms early in spring, but dries out and loses nutrients quickly: mulch, compost and steady watering help. The most common surface texture is sand (70% of mapped Pipestone acres).
100% of mapped Pipestone 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 >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 Pipestone 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 Pipestone soil is found
Mapped acres
Pipestone is mapped in Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts and Indiana.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Newaygo County, MI | 25,678 | 4.8% |
| Midland County, MI | 22,503 | 6.8% |
| Muskegon County, MI | 21,086 | 6.5% |
| Saginaw County, MI | 17,912 | 3.5% |
| Ottawa County, MI | 16,504 | 4.6% |
| Mason County, MI | 12,034 | 3.8% |
| Gladwin County, MI | 11,886 | 3.7% |
| Oceana County, MI | 9,660 | 2.8% |
| Allegan County, MI | 9,202 | 1.7% |
| Van Buren County, MI | 8,172 | 2.1% |
| Bay County, MI | 8,039 | 2.8% |
| Rockingham County, NH | 6,776 | 1.5% |
| Manistee County, MI | 5,818 | 1.7% |
| Hillsborough County, NH | 4,964 | 0.9% |
| Mecosta County, MI | 4,533 | 1.3% |
| Gratiot County, MI | 4,424 | 1.2% |
| Tuscola County, MI | 4,288 | 0.8% |
| Benzie County, MI | 4,165 | 2.0% |
| Huron County, MI | 3,861 | 0.7% |
| Arenac County, MI | 3,787 | 1.6% |
| Isabella County, MI | 2,835 | 0.8% |
| Genesee County, MI | 2,478 | 0.6% |
| Leelanau County, MI | 2,138 | 1.0% |
| Clinton County, NY | 1,894 | 0.3% |
| Berrien County, MI | 1,578 | 0.4% |
| Lake County, MI | 1,095 | 0.3% |
| Lapeer County, MI | 816 | 0.2% |
| Bristol County, MA | 784 | 0.2% |
| Barnstable County, MA | 626 | 0.2% |
| Kent County, MI | 610 | 0.1% |
| Kalkaska County, MI | 513 | 0.1% |
| Sanilac County, MI | 461 | 0.1% |
| Macomb County, MI | 454 | 0.1% |
| Wexford County, MI | 361 | 0.1% |
| Essex County, MA | 285 | 0.1% |
| LaPorte County, IN | 238 | 0.1% |
| Ionia County, MI | 220 | 0.1% |
| Osceola County, MI | 167 | 0.0% |
| Clare County, MI | 142 | 0.0% |
| Kalamazoo County, MI | 27 | 0.0% |
| Shiawassee County, MI | 8 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Pipestone acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 99.8% |
| Not rated | 0.2% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Pipestone acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 6 inches (median where reported); within 18 inches on >99% of acres.
- Flooding
- Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
- Slope
- Typically 1–2% (median 2%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 3.5%.
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 | 94.1% |
| Poorly drained | 5.9% |
| Very poorly drained | 0.0% |
Hydrologic soil group
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) | 0.2% |
| 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 | 0.2% |
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 Pipestone (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 223,022 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Pipestone components. The profile comes from the single largest Pipestone component. Full methodology.