Haines Area, Alaska
The most common soil here is Tolstoi, on about 9% of the land: a very fine sandy loam, gritty and crumbly. Passage and Kupreanof come next.
About 51% of the land drains well, and 11% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 8% of it.
USDA rates 63% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 56% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 10% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 57% 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 Haines 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 D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Spodosols — acidic forest soils with a distinctive leached layer, common under conifers. 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 Haines 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop and glaciers | 77K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Ferebee-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 90 percent slopes | 32K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Cryorthents, 20 to 180 percent slopes | 20K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water, fresh | 17K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Tolstoi-Passage complex, 70 to 100 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kupreanof-Passage complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes | 16K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kupreanof-Passage complex, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 14K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tolstoi, Passage, and Kupreanof silt loams, 20 to 70 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hollow and Skagway soils, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tolstoi-Passage complex, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Lithic Cryofolists complex, 70 to 120 percent slopes | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rock outcrop-Tolstoi complex, 70 to 100 percent slopes | 8K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Kupreanof-Passage complex, 2 to 20 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Tolstoi-Passage complex, 70 to 100 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Funter peat, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nataga-Cryorthents association, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 6K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Ashmun-Hollow-Funter complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 6K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tolstoi-Rock outcrop complex, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Lithic Cryofolists complex, 40 to 70 percent slopes | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Lutak-Kupreanof association, 0 to 20 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | B | Not 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 56% 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 63% 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.