Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Area, Alaska

Survey Area AK772• Alaska

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low 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 Kenai National Wildlife Refuge 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
Cook Inlet Lowlands-Boreal Upland-Glaciated Plains and Hills	382K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Lowlands-Boreal Upland-Till Plains	299K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Mountains	182K	Well drained		Very limited	Very limited
Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Alpine-Barren Mountains	162K			Not rated	Not rated
Cook Inlet Mountains-Boreal Upland-Rounded Mountains	114K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Mountains-Boreal Subalpine and Alpine-Rounded Mountains, Acid	113K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Barren Mountains	112K			Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Lowlands-Boreal Water, Fresh	101K			Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Mountains-Boreal Upland and Lowland-Valleys	92K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Lowlands-Boreal Upland-Peatlands	77K	Very poorly drained	A/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Lowlands-Boreal Upland-Glaciolacustrine Plains	50K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Lowlands-Boreal Water, Saline	42K			Very limited	Very limited
Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Subalpine and Alpine-Mountains	40K			Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Mountains-Boreal Subalpine and Alpine-Rounded Mountains	33K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Coastal Plains	19K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Flood Plains, Terraces, and Fans	16K			Very limited	Very limited
Cook Inlet Lowlands-Boreal Upland-Glaciated Plains and Hills, High Precipitation	2K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast-Maritime Upland and Subalpine-Rounded Mountains	812	Very poorly drained	A/D	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.

Spodosols

Acidic forest soils with a leached layer. Common under conifers. Often have drainage issues from a compacted subsoil layer.

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

Entisols

Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.

Andisols

Volcanic ash soils — light, porous, and fertile. Excellent drainage, but low density can complicate foundations.

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 91% 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.