Alaska Range - Granite Mountains Area, Alaska
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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.
| 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 |
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.