Parts Of Wrangell - St. Elias National Park and Preserve Area, Alaska
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). 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 Parts Of Wrangell - St. Elias National Park and Preserve Area, Alaska.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Barren Mountains | 4.6M | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Alpine-Barren Mountains | 2.1M | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Rugged Mountains | 1.1M | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Upland and Lowland-Mountain Valleys | 781K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Rounded Mountains | 582K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Subalpine and Alpine-Rugged Mountains | 509K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Glaciated Plains and Hills | 358K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Copper River Basin-Boreal Upland-Plains and Hills | 325K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Subalpine and Alpine-Mountains | 276K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Lowland-Flood Plains, Terraces, and Fans | 257K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast-Maritime Water, Saline | 209K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Hungryhollow-Mire-Nathlie complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 191K | Poorly drained | C/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Mountain Valleys | 180K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Copper River Basin-Boreal Upland-Glaciated Plains and Hills | 162K | Somewhat excessively drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast-Maritime Upland-Hills, Recently Glaciated | 118K | Somewhat poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains-Maritime Upland-Mountains | 105K | Moderately well drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Copper River Basin-Boreal Lowland-Flood Plains and Terraces | 90K | Very limited | Very limited | ||
| Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Fan Terraces and Stream Terraces | 83K | Poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast-Maritime Upland-Glaciofluvial Plains and Beaches | 57K | Poorly drained | B/D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Glaciated Plains and Hills | 56K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 81% 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 82% 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.