Much of this region is currently farmed. Where lakes are present, tourism is common. Parent material is primarily calcareous glacial till and outwash sediments. There is 100 to 500 feet of glacial drift covering most of the bedrock in this subsection. Bedrock underlying the subsection is diverse.
Loamy soils are prevalent.
Growing season precipitation ranges from 10.5 to 11.5 inches. The growing season ranges from approximately 122 days in the north to 140 days in the south. The Alexandria Moraine forms a high ridge which is the headwaters region of many rivers and streams flowing east and west. The drainage network is young and undeveloped throughout this subsection. Major rivers include the Chippewa, the Long Prairie, the Sauk, and the Wing Rivers.