Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve-Gustavus Area, Alaska

Survey Area AK692• Alaska

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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 Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve-Gustavus 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
Glaciers	1.3M			Not rated	Not rated
Water, Saline	664K			Not rated	Not rated
Rock outcrop and Lithic Cryorthents	208K			Very limited	Very limited
Lithic Cryorthents and Typic Humicryepts soils, 76 to 140 percent slopes	206K	Well drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Rock outcrop-Seclusion-Skarn complex, 30 to 90 percent slopes	87K	Well drained		Very limited	Very limited
Water	61K			Not rated	Not rated
Kashoto-Annoksek-Bulky complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes	56K	Poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bergbay-Boussole-Toyatte complex, 25 to 90 percent slopes	50K	Somewhat poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Seclusion-Rock outcrop complex, 45 to 100 percent slopes	50K	Well drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Escures-Polkapenn-Nunatak complex, 45 to 95 percent slopes	47K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Drybay-Kaknau-Vivid complex, 5 to 35 percent slopes	43K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Bulky-Bertha-Icy complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes	42K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Bearisland-Kadachan-Rubble land complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes	41K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Fossil-Tyeen-Vivid complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes	36K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Tyeen-Fossil-Fingers complex, 0 to 30 percent slopes	30K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Fossil-Tyeen-Vivid complex, 15 to 45 percent slopes	29K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Drybay-Tidalwave complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes	22K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Passage-Abdallah-Justicecreek complex, 35 to 85 percent slopes	21K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Tyeen-Cenotaph-Fossil complex, 0 to 30 percent slopes	21K	Well drained	A	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Riverwash	21K			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.

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Spodosols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 31% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.

Septic Systems

About 33% of soils have significant septic limitations, while others are more suitable. A perc test is essential — conditions vary across the area.

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.