Kantishna Area, Alaska
The most common soil here is Iksgiza, on about 16% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Zitziana and Beales come next.
About 48% of the land drains well, and 50% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 71% of it.
USDA rates 98% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 97% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 9% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 1% 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 Kantishna 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 Somewhat excessively drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Kantishna 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindanina-Beales-Zitziana complex, dunes, 1 to 50 percent slopes | 63K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Iksgiza-Nenana complex, 1 to 35 percent slopes | 50K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zitziana-Kindanina complex, 1 to 35 percent slopes | 32K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beales-Zitziana complex, 1 to 35 percent slopes | 27K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Zitziana silt loam, 1 to 35 percent slopes | 23K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Histoturbels, Terric Hemistels, and Bradway soils, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 23K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beales very fine sandy loam, 1 to 35 percent slopes | 22K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Koyukuk silt loam, 1 to 35 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Dystrocryepts-Tetlin-Saulich association, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 22K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Iksgiza-Terric Hemistels complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 21K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saulich peat, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 19K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Iksgiza-Beales-Zitziana complex, pitted, 1 to 50 percent slopes | 19K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nenana-Zitziana complex, 1 to 35 percent slopes | 17K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Beales very fine sandy loam, 35 to 70 percent slopes | 12K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Iksgiza peat, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 12K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Typic Cryopsamments, Typic Cryaquepts, flooded, and Bradway soils, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 11K | Excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Saulich peat, 6 to 30 percent slopes | 11K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Iksgiza-Zitziana-Nenana complex, 1 to 35 percent slopes | 10K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kindanina mucky silt loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes | 10K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 10K | Not rated | Not rated |
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 97% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas, sandy or gravelly soils with low bearing capacity. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. The well-drained soils may actually drain too fast for standard leach fields, allowing effluent to reach groundwater. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Soils tend to drain very quickly, meaning nutrients and water don't stick around long. Raised beds with amended soil, drip irrigation, and heavy mulching will give the best results. Compost is your best friend here — it improves water retention dramatically.