Gerstle River Area, Alaska
The most common soil here is Moosehead, on about 10% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Salchaket and Lupine come next.
About 58% of the land drains well, and 38% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 37% of it.
USDA rates 89% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 96% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 5% of the land floods occasionally or more.
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 Gerstle River 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 Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Gerstle 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moosehead silt loam | 9K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lupine silt loam | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Gerstle silt loam | 7K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Liscum and Mosquito peats | 7K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aquic Eutrocryepts-Typic Cryaquepts complex | 6K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Salchaket silt loam | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Jarvis-Chena complex | 6K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cryofluvents, occasionally flooded | 4K | Poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Histosols-Liscum complex | 3K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Eutrocryepts-Typic Histoturbels complex, steep | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Aquic Eutrocryepts-Tanacross complex | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tanacross peat | 2K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Eutrocryepts-Typic Aquorthels complex, steep | 2K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Lupine and Moosehead silt loams | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cryofluvents, rarely flooded | 2K | Poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Jarvis silt loam, moderately deep | 1K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Volkmar silt loam | 1K | Moderately well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tetlin silt loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 1K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Eutrocryepts, steep | 1K | Well drained | B | 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 96% 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 89% 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.