Gulkana River Area, Alaska
The most common soil here is Mendna, on about 18% of the land. Chelina and Klasi come next.
About 28% of the land drains well, and 68% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 71% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 91% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 8% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 4% 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 Gulkana 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 Poorly drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Gelisols — permafrost soils found in very cold climates. 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 Gulkana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mendna and Chelina soils, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 15K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Klasi peat, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mendna-Ewan complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 9K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cryorthents and Cryochrepts soils, 20 to 80 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chelina and Mendna soils, 6 to 20 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kuslinad-Kuslinad, very wet complex | 3K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cryaquepts, 4 to 25 percent slopes | 3K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Swillna, thin surface-Swillna complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 3K | Somewhat poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pergelic Cryohemists-Mendna, very wet-Cryofibrists complex, 0 to 14 percent slopes | 2K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chelina loam, 0 to 10 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Somewhat limited |
| Kuslinad peat | 2K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cobblank and Telay soils, 2 to 16 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water, upland | 2K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Maclaren-Kuslinad complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water, riverine | 2K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Cryaquepts and Cryaquepts, very wet soils, 4 to 25 percent slopes | 2K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pippod and Chistna soils, high elevation, 0 to 30 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chistna and Pippod soils, 0 to 14 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pergelic Cryohemists and Cryofibrists soils | 1K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Dackey-Hogan complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes | 1K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | 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 91% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 93% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Poorly drained soils can't absorb septic effluent effectively. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Many soils hold water for extended periods. Raised beds are highly recommended to improve drainage for vegetables. Well-adapted native plants and water-loving species will do best in natural conditions.