Lower Kenai Peninsula Area, Alaska
The most common soil here is Nanwalek, on about 24% of the land. Kasitsna and Tutka come next.
About 92% of the land drains well; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 9% of it.
USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 95% 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 21% 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 Lower Kenai Peninsula 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 B (moderate infiltration). 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 Lower Kenai Peninsula 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cryods-Cryorthents-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 120 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nanwalek-Rock outcrop complex, 65 to 120 percent slopes | 44K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kasitsna-Tutka complex, hilly to very steep | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nanwalek-Kasitsna, cool complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nanwalek silt loam, 25 to 65 percent slopes | 12K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kasitsna-Nuka complex, nearly level to hilly | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kasitsna-Tutka complex, rolling to steep | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kasitsna-Tutka complex, 45 to 65 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Cryorthents, very steep | 5K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Kasitsna-Nuka-Tutka complex, nearly level to hilly | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kasitsna silt loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes, cool | 5K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kasitsna silt loam, rolling to steep | 4K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nanwalek-Kasitsna, cool complex, 65 to 120 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kasitsna-Kasitsna,cool-Seldovia complex, 45 to 65 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kasitsna-Seldovia complex, 25 to 45 percent slopes | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nanwalek silt loam, 25 to 65 percent slopes, warm | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kasitsna-Seldovia-Portgraham complex, hilly to very steep | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kasitsna-Tutka complex, 65 to 120 percent slopes | 2K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tutka silt loam, hilly to very steep | 2K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kasitsna-Seldovia-Portgraham complex, rolling to steep | 2K | Well drained | B | 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 95% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 96% 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.