Anoka Soil Associations:
Zimmerman-Isanti-Lino Association
This soil association is mainly a broad undulating sand plain. The naturally occurring high water table is at or near the surface in most depressed areas. Steeper slopes occur next to drainageways and large depressions.
This association makes up about 50 percent of the county. It is about 45 percent Zimmerman soils, 15 percent Isanti soils, 10 percent Lino soils, and 30 percent soils of minor extent.
The excessively drained Zimmerman soils are in broad undulating areas and on narrow escarpments. The surface layer is very dark gray and dark-brown fine sand about 2 to 10 inches thick. The subsoil is yellowish-brown and light yellowish-brown fine sand. The underlying material at a depth of about 28 inches is very pale brown fine sand.
The very poorly drained Isanti soils are in depressions and on low-lying sandy loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil is gray and dark-gray fine sand. The underlying material at a depth of about 31 inches is light brownish-gray fine sand.
The somewhat poorly drained Lino soils are on small flats, in small depressions, and on small concave rises. The surface layer is black, dark-gray or dark grayish-brown loamy fine sand about 2 to 8 inches thick. The subsoil is mottled brown and light brownish-gray fine sand. The underlying material at a depth of about 45 inches is pale-brown fine sand.
Of minor extent in this association are Anoka, Markey, Rifle, and Sartell soils.
Undulating to rolling dune-shaped landscapes are occupied by Sartell soils. Nearly level to sloping sand areas where loamy bands occur in the subsoil are occupied by Anoka soils. Small to large bogs and bog areas adjacent to lakes and small streams are occupied by Markey and Rifle soils.
Much of this association is well suited to urban development. In some areas, however, a high water table severely limits many uses. The association is moderately well suited to farming and provides sites for recreational facilities. Fertility and available water capacity are low. Main concerns of management are controlling soil blowing, improving fertility, and controlling the level of the water table in low-lying areas.
Much of this association is used for urban development, and additional areas are being urbanized every year. Small acreage are used as rural residences. Some area are farmed. Corn, soybeans, and alfalfa are the crops commonly grown. Many former fields are planted to coniferous trees which are harvested as Christmas trees. Truck crops and cultural sod are grown on the organic soils. Additional areas provide wildlife habitat and sites for recreational facilities.
