Soil and perc tests in Crow Wing County, Minnesota

USDA rates most of the soil in Crow Wing County Very limited for septic absorption fields — 97.8% of the rated acres. The county requires a site evaluation before it approves a new or replacement system. A soil pit or a hand auger checks the soil before the county issues a permit to build. USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-16

Very limited

USDA rating, 97.8% of rated acres

checked 2026-09-16

Seepage, bottom layer

Most common limiting reason

checked 2026-09-16

Yes

Site evaluation required

checked 2026-09-23

What is a perc test and does Crow Wing County require one?

Yes. The county requires a site evaluation before it approves a new or replacement system. A soil pit or a hand auger checks the soil before the county issues a permit to build.

Crow Wing County Land Use Ordinance, Article 37.18(C) and 37.19(A)(6) · checked 2026-09-23

How USDA rates the ground in Crow Wing County

Very limited across most of the county — 97.8% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.

Very limited — 615,284 acres — 97.8% of 629,186 rated acres.
Somewhat limited — 13,902 acres — 2.2% of 629,186 rated acres.
Not rated — 110,614 acres, excluded from the denominator — mostly urban land and water.

97.8% of 629,186 rated acres. 110,614 acres unrated. Survey area MN035 version 21, established 2025-09-10.

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-16

What limits absorption here

The reasons USDA gives for the rating, by the acres they affect. A component can carry several, so the acres overlap.

Seepage, bottom layer — 456,664 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Depth to saturated zone — 377,102 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Filtering capacity — 283,716 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Slow water movement — 220,688 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Subsidence — 139,416 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Slope — 138,288 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Ponding — 73,904 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Flooding — 27,548 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.

Ratings by soil map unit

The largest map units in the county, each with its rating. A soil survey names the ground. The county's evaluation of your lot is what a permit turns on.

W — Water — 102,237 acres in this county — rated Not rated. Dominant component: Water (100% of the map unit).
C163B — Brainerd sandy loam, 1 to 4 percent slopes — 44,405 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Brainerd (85% of the map unit).
540 — Seelyeville-Seelyeville, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes — 32,224 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Seelyeville (55% of the map unit).
D83D — Eutrudepts-Graycalm-Rollins complex, pitted, 10 to 20 percent slopes — 25,114 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Eutrudepts (30% of the map unit).
D49B — Graycalm loamy sand, 2 to 8 percent slopes — 24,934 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Graycalm (90% of the map unit).
6-5D — Gerrish-Hapludalfs-Hegberg-Eutrudepts complex, pitted, 10 to 20 percent slopes — 22,705 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Gerrish (35% of the map unit).
D87A — Rifle-Rifle, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes — 19,858 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Rifle (55% of the map unit).
C17B — Rosholt-Chetek complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes — 18,775 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Rosholt (55% of the map unit).

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-16

Sources

Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.

Crow Wing County — Land Services · checked 2026-09-23
Crow Wing County — Septic · checked 2026-09-23
Crow Wing County — 2026 Land Services Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23
Crow Wing County Land Use Ordinance, Article 37.18(C) and 37.19(A)(6) · checked 2026-09-23
Crow Wing County — Frequently Asked Questions · checked 2026-09-23
Crow Wing County — Land Use Permits FAQ · checked 2026-09-23
USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-16

Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here before you spend money on it. Call the Crow Wing County Land Services, on 218-824-1010.