Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Brooks Range West 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 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge - Brooks Range West Area, Alaska.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Brooks Range Mountains-Arctic Upland-Rugged Mountains, Calcareous | 938K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Brooks Range Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Rugged Mountains | 775K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Brooks Range Mountains-Boreal Alpine and Subalpine-Rugged Mountains, Calcareous | 772K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Brooks Range Mountains-Boreal Alpine and Subalpine-Rounded Mountains | 604K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Brooks Range Mountains-Boreal Upland and Lowland-Glaciated Valleys | 581K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Alaska Highlands-Boreal Upland and Alpine-Plains and Hills | 539K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Northern Brooks Range Mountains-Arctic Upland-Barren Mountains | 456K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Northern Brooks Range Mountains-Arctic Upland-Rounded Mountains | 452K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Brooks Range Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Barren Mountains | 353K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Northern Brooks Range Mountains-Arctic Upland and Lowland-Glaciated Valleys | 305K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Northern Brooks Range Mountains-Arctic Upland-Rugged Mountains | 282K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Brooks Range Mountains-Boreal Upland and Alpine-Glaciated Valleys | 278K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arctic Foothills-Arctic Upland-Glaciated Hills and Plains | 121K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Alaska Highlands-Boreal Upland-Hills and Plains | 62K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Brooks Range Mountains-Boreal Upland-Rounded Mountains | 53K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arctic Foothills-Arctic Upland-Hills and Plains | 33K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Alaska Highlands-Boreal Lowland-Flood Plains and Terraces | 11K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Arctic Foothills-Arctic Lowland-Flood Plains and Terraces | 7K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Brooks Range Mountains-Boreal Water,Fresh | 6K | Not limited | Not limited | ||
| Arctic Foothills-Arctic Upland-Loess Plains and Hills | 159 | Very poorly drained | C/D | 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 99% 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.