Gerstle River Area, Alaska

Survey Area AK615• Alaska

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.

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.

Entisols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 97% 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.