Soil survey area

Stewart River Training Site, Alaska

Survey Area AK658• Alaska
The short version

The most common soil here is Sinuktuk, on about 37% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Kiglauik and Boldrin come next.

About 70% of the land drains well, and 30% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 96% of it.

USDA rates 96% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 73% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.

Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 68% 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 ground underfoot

The soils you're most likely standing on

The biggest named soils in Stewart River Training Site, Alaska, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.

Sinuktuk
37% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · well drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Inceptisols
Kiglauik
17% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · somewhat poorly drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Inceptisols
Boldrin
13% of the area
Gravelly loam topsoil · very poorly drained
A balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. The gardener's ideal.
Gelisols
Peluk
7% of the area
Well drained
Gelisols
Tigaraha
4% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · well drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Inceptisols
Tisuk
3% of the area
Silt loam topsoil · well drained
Smooth, like flour. Fertile and holds water well.
Inceptisols

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 C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Inceptisols — young soils with minimal horizon development but more than Entisols. 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 Stewart River Training Site, Alaska. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.

Soil Map UnitAcresDrainageHydro GroupDwellingsSeptic
Sinuktuk-Kiglauik complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes 6K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Sinuktuk-Kiglauik-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes 5K Well drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Sinuktuk-Kiglauik complex, 5 to 15 percent slopes 5K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Boldrin-Peluk complex, 0 to 5 percent slopes 5K Very poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Nuluk-Belmezok complex 1K Somewhat poorly drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Tigaraha-Rock outcrop complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes 1K Well drainedCSomewhat limitedVery limited
Tisuk-Dirrant complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes 728 Well drainedCNot limitedSomewhat limited
Boldrin-Sinuktuk complex, 0 to 15 percent slopes 679 Very poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Imuruk-Tisuk-Dirrant complex, 0 to 30 percent slopes 599 Somewhat excessively drainedCVery limitedVery limited
Tuksuk-Kiglauik complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes 526 Very poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Boldrin-Peluk complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes 477 Very poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Agiapuk-Pinguk complex, 2 to 5 percent slopes 285 Well drainedANot limitedVery limited
Tisuk-Kuzitrin complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes 246 Well drainedCSomewhat limitedSomewhat limited
Distin-Cassiterite complex 212 Poorly drainedDVery limitedVery limited
Kanauguk-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 25 percent slopes 38 Well drainedCVery limitedVery 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.

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.
Entisols
Young soils with little development — found on floodplains, dunes, and steep slopes. Properties vary widely by setting.
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 73% 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 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.

Look Up a Specific Address

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