Fort Wainwright Area, Alaska
The most common soil here is E29-boreal forest-loamy frozen high flood plains, on about 13% of the land. E29-boreal forest-gravelly terraces and E29-boreal taiga-loamy frozen terraces come next.
About 20% of the land drains well, and 76% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 38% of it.
USDA rates all of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 99% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 50% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 18% 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 soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Fort Wainwright Area, Alaska, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Very poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). 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 Fort Wainwright 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 Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Alluvial Plains, Wet | 449K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Fan Terraces and Stream Terraces | 111K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gilmore and Steese silt loams, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 71K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saulich and Chatanika soils, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 24K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Flood Plains and Terraces, High Elevation | 23K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brigadier-Ester complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goldstream-Histels complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brigadier and Manchu silt loams, 3 to 45 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saulich and Chatanika soils, 15 to 20 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Ester peat, 20 to 45 percent slopes | 8K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chatanika-Goldstream complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 7K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Brigadier and Manchu silt loams, 3 to 15 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steese-Gilmore complex, 30 to 45 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Volkmar-Richardson complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Histel and Mosquito soils | 6K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tanacross peat | 5K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Minto-Chatanika complex, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 5K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chatanika silt loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes | 5K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Steese silt loam, 12 to 20 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mosquito peat | 5K | Very poorly drained | D | 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 99% 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. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 100% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
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.