Delta River Area, Alaska

Survey Area AK656• Alaska

The dominant drainage class is Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 Delta River 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
Schleyer-Geist complex, 0 to 30 percent slopes	9K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Water	4K			Not rated	Not rated
Fields-Minya-Frostcircle association, 0 to 75 percent slopes	3K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Riverwash	3K			Not rated	Not rated
Turbellina-Schleyer complex, 0 to 30 percent slopes	3K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Steps-Basaltlake association, 14 to 75 percent slopes	2K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Frostcircle-Ogive association, 0 to 25 percent slopes	2K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Schleyer-Slana-Geist complex, 0 to 70 percent slopes	2K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Shand-Bonot-Fels complex, 0 to 60 percent slopes	2K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Fields silt loam, 18 to 65 percent slopes	1K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Petrokov-Basaltlake-Castnot complex, 6 to 65 percent slopes	1K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
McCumberson-Phelanna complex, 2 to 12 percent slopes	1K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Not limited
Frostcircle peat, 0 to 25 percent slopes	1K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Swedna-Riverwash-Dackey complex	1K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Kuswash-Turbellina-Schleyer complex, 0 to 30 percent slopes	1K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Skarland-Schleyer complex, 8 to 20 percent slopes	1K	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Nizina-Nizina, rarely flooded, complex	883	Somewhat excessively drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Waitabit-Ogive complex, 22 to 60 percent slopes	868	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Dackey-Tangoe-Riverwash complex	851	Somewhat poorly drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Dackey-Tangoe-Riverwash, high elevation, complex	851	Somewhat poorly drained	C	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.

Entisols

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

Spodosols

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

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.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 81% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 81% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.

Gardening & Agriculture

Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.