Yentna Area, Alaska
The most common soil here is Spenard, on about 10% of the land: a silt loam, smooth, like flour. Strandline and Kroto come next.
About 58% of the land drains well, and 36% stays wet for long stretches; groundwater comes within two feet of the surface under 60% of it.
USDA rates 91% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 80% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 13% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 8% 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 Yentna 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 Yentna 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strandline-Spenard-Kroto complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 723K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Starichkof peat, 0 to 7 percent slopes | 246K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Salamatof peat, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 199K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Killey and Hiline silt loams, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 161K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chuit and Nakochna silt loams, 3 to 30 percent slopes | 145K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Chichantna peat, 0 to 8 percent slopes | 134K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Water | 122K | Not rated | Not rated | ||
| Rubble land | 110K | Excessively drained | A | Not rated | Not rated |
| Puntilla silt loam, 7 to 20 percent slopes | 110K | Well drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Chuit-Nakochna-Rubble land complex, 7 to 45 percent slopes | 106K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Strandline-Kroto complex, 20 to 45 percent slopes | 96K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nancy-Kashwitna complex, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 92K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Very limited |
| Kroto-Strandline-Cryorthents complex, 30 to 45 percent slopes | 90K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hewitt peat, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 86K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Spenard silt loam, 0 to 7 percent slopes | 81K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Puntilla silt loam, 30 to 45 percent slopes | 68K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Puntilla silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes | 59K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Slikok muck, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 56K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Doroshin peat, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 53K | Very poorly drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nancy-Kashwitna complex, 2 to 7 percent slopes | 45K | Well drained | B | Not 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 80% 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 91% 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.