North Copper River Area, Alaska

Survey Area AK659• Alaska

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. 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 North Copper 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
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Barren Mountains	1.0M			Very limited	Very limited
Dodger-Klawasi-Octopuslake association, 0 to 5 percent slopes	470K	Very poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Klasi peat, 0 to 10 percent slopes	385K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Copper River Basin-Boreal Upland-Lacustrine Plains	356K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Upland and Lowland-Mountain Valleys	340K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Greylingcreek-Cirquecreek-Tasta association, 0 to 80 percent slopes	336K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Glennallen-Klawasi-Tacaes complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes	322K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Chelina-Alterationcreek association, 0 to 40 percent slopes	309K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Alpine-Barren Mountains	299K			Not rated	Not rated
Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Subalpine and Alpine-Mountains	242K			Very limited	Very limited
Cirquecreek-Rockoutcrop complex, 0 to 80 percent slopes	237K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Water	231K			Not rated	Not rated
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Glaciated Plains and Hills	230K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Rounded Mountains	171K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Fields-Tasta complex, 5 to 80 percent slopes	154K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Klawasi-Chelina-Tacaes complex, 0 to 10 percent slopes	149K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Rugged Mountains	140K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Greylingcreek-Cirquecreek-Kimballpass mountain top complex, 0 to 80 percent slopes	117K	Well drained	B	Somewhat limited	Very limited
Fourthofjuly-Greylincreek-Kimballpass complex, 0 to 70 percent slopes	98K	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Haggardcreek-Ahtell complex, 0 to 25 percent slopes	96K	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.

Entisols

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

Inceptisols

Young but developing soils found in mountains and river terraces. Variable properties — check drainage and bedrock depth.

Gelisols

Permafrost soils. Extremely challenging for construction and septic. Found almost exclusively in Alaska.

Mollisols

Fertile grassland soils with thick, dark topsoil. Among the best for agriculture, building, and gardening.

Spodosols

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

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 82% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 90% 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.