Several of the larger rivers, including the Black, Kalamazoo, Grand, Muskegon, and White, have sand dunes where they meet Lake Michigan, creating small lakes behind the dunes. There are often extensive marshes within these shallow lakes. Soil textures range from sand to clay. Along the Muskegon River at the north edge of the sub-subsection, the lacustrine sands are generally excessively drained. A large part of these sands is outwash that contain few lenses of finetextured material to restrict drainage.
Low dunes are locally common.
Poorly drained sands also characterize a large part of the northern half of the sub-subsection. Cemented B horizons are common. Finer textured subsoils are generally responsible for the poor drainage conditions. Small beach ridges and sand dunes on the poorly drained plain are excessively drained. Soils on the upper and middle slopes of moraines are generally well or moderately well drained.