Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve-Gustavus Area, Alaska
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C/D (varies with drainage). 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.
| 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 |
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.