Alaska Range - Granite Mountains Area, Alaska

Survey Area AK766• Alaska

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Alaska Range - Granite Mountains Area, Alaska. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map Unit	Acres	Drainage	Hydro Group	Dwellings	Septic
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Barren Mountains	592K			Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Rugged Mountains, Acid	393K			Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Upland and Lowland-Mountain Valleys	203K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Rugged Mountains	133K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Glaciated Plains and Hills	118K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Upland-Rounded Mountains, Acid	118K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine and Subalpine-Rounded Mountains, Acid	103K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Fan Terraces and Stream Terraces	35K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Flood Plains and Terraces, High Elevation	34K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Lowland-Flood Plains, Terraces, and Fans	30K			Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Glaciated Plains and Hills	26K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Alluvial Plains, Wet	26K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Swedna-Dackey-Ironcreek complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	17K	Poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Highlands-Boreal Upland and Lowland-Mountain Valleys	12K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Fields-Tasta complex, 5 to 80 percent slopes	5K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Kluna-Coppercenter-Drashner association, 0 to 10 percent slopes	4K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Cirquecreek-Rockoutcrop complex, 0 to 80 percent slopes	2K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Moosehead-Ganhona-Maclaren complex, 0 to 20 percent slopes	1K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Suslota-Fields complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes	1K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Rounded Mountains	705	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited

Soil Orders in This Area

The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Gelisols

Permafrost soils. Extremely challenging for construction and septic. Found almost exclusively in Alaska.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 99% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 100% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.