Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve-Gustavus Area, Alaska
The most common soil here is Lithic Cryorthents, on about 4% of the land. Typic Humicryepts and Seclusion come next.
About 23% of the land drains well, and 7% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 28% of it.
USDA rates 39% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 37% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 2% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 28% 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 Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve-Gustavus 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 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.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 37% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 39% 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.