Yukon Tanana Uplands East and Bordering Area, Alaska

Survey Area AK768• Alaska

The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is A (high infiltration, low 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 Yukon Tanana Uplands East and Bordering 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 Highlands-Boreal Upland-Rounded Mountains, Acid	2.2M	Well drained	A	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Highlands-Boreal Alpine and Upland-Rugged Mountains, Acid	181K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Highlands-Boreal Upland and Alpine-Rounded Mountains, Acid	150K	Well drained	C	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Alluvial Plains, Wet	150K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Upland-Rounded Mountains, Acid	142K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Highlands-Boreal Upland and Lowland-Mountain Valleys	115K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Lowland Alluvial Plains	105K	Very poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Upland-Rounded Mountains	64K	Poorly drained	C/D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Upland-Eolian Plains, Sand Hills, and Dunes	61K	Somewhat excessively drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Ride-Stibnite complex, 5 to 70 percent slopes	45K	Somewhat excessively drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Highlands-Boreal Upland and Subalpine-Rounded Mountains	35K	Well drained	B	Not limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Highlands-Boreal Upland-Hills and Plains	35K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Fields-Tasta complex, 5 to 80 percent slopes	32K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Mountains-Boreal Alpine-Rugged Mountains	32K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Highlands-Boreal Alpine and Upland-Rugged Mountains	32K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Flood Plains and Terraces, Wet	29K	Very poorly drained	B/D	Very limited	Very limited
Cirquecreek-Rockoutcrop complex, 0 to 80 percent slopes	26K	Well drained	B	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Lowland-Fan Terraces and Stream Terraces	26K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Highlands-Boreal Lowland-Flood Plains and Terraces	23K	Poorly drained	D	Very limited	Very limited
Interior Alaska Lowlands-Boreal Water, Fresh	17K			Not limited	Not 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.

Spodosols

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

Histosols

Organic peat and muck soils formed in wetlands. Very poor for building (compressible) and septic. Often in regulated wetlands.

What This Means

Building & Foundations

About 98% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.

Septic Systems

About 99% 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.