Chugach National Forest - Kenai Peninsula East Area, Alaska
The most common soil here is E20-maritime forest-loamy colluvial slopes, shallow, on about 4% of the land. E20-maritime sedge-scrub-organic depressions and E20-maritime forest-loamy colluvial and till slopes come next.
About 3% of the land drains well, and 14% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 16% of it.
USDA rates 46% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 46% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 12% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 91% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A/D (varies with drainage). The most common soil order is Spodosols — acidic forest soils with a distinctive leached layer, common under conifers. 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 Chugach National Forest - Kenai Peninsula East 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Alpine-Barren Mountains | 1.2M | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Subalpine and Alpine-Mountains | 349K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast-Maritime Upland and Subalpine-Rounded Mountains | 306K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Water, Fresh | 152K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Cook Inlet Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Barren Mountains | 91K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Rock outcrop-Aialik-Snow complex, 10 to 100 percent slopes | 44K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Cook Inlet Mountains-Boreal Upland and Lowland-Valleys | 36K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Upland-Mountains | 31K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cook Inlet Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Mountains | 26K | Well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast-Maritime Upland-Glaciofluvial Plains and Beaches | 9K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast-Maritime Upland-Glaciated Hills and Plains | 7K | Very poorly drained | A/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Exit-Ski association, 20 to 90 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast-Maritime Lowland-Coastal Plains, Deltas and Mud Flats | 4K | Very poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast-Maritime Subalpine and Alpine-Rounded Mountains | 4K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Barren Mountains | 2K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Callisto-Caines association, 20 to 80 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Cryorthents-Typic Cryaquents, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 2K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Andic Haplocryods-Lithic Haplocryods complex, 16 to 45 percent slopes | 1K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Upland-Hills, Recently Glaciated | 996 | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Andic Haplocryods-Lithic Haplocryods complex, 9 to 25 percent slopes | 862 | Well drained | A | 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 46% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 46% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.