North Copper River Area, Alaska
The most common soil here is Klasi, on about 5% of the land. Klawasi and Chelina come next.
About 47% of the land drains well, and 30% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 44% of it.
USDA rates 93% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 82% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 35% 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 North Copper River 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 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.
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 93% 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.