Soils in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska

Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska is home to 13,549 residents. Land Owl's soils layer records the following within the county boundary — Well-drained land: 225,135 acres. Share of mapped soil that is well drained: 6.9%. Poorly drained land: 1,715,939 acres. Most common drainage class: Very poorly drained — 1,564,112 acres. Distinct soil map units: 212. Largest soil map unit: Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast-Maritime Upland and Subalpine-Rounded Mountains — 1,057,477 acres. Share with hydrologic soil group A or B (high infiltration): 1.7%. Every feature shown on the map above is clickable, and the figures on this page are derived from the same data the map renders, so they always agree. A free Land Owl account adds parcel boundaries, ownership records, flood zones, wetlands and topography over the same view.

Frequently asked questions

What are the soils like in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska?

The USDA soil survey maps 225,135 acres of Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska as well drained and 1,715,939 acres as poorly drained. Drainage class and hydrologic soil group are the two properties that most often decide whether a rural lot can take a septic system and a driveway.

Is this soil map free to use?

Yes. This map is free to view. A free Land Owl account unlocks the other data layers, parcel boundaries and ownership records.

Where does this data come from?

Land Owl maps soils from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service SSURGO soil survey. SSURGO describes soil MAP UNITS at survey scale — it is a screening tool for shortlisting land, not a substitute for a site-specific soil evaluation or a septic percolation test, both of which your health department will want before it permits a system.

Can I use this soil map to tell whether land will perc?

It is the right place to start and the wrong place to finish. Drainage class and hydrologic soil group tell you which parcels are worth a site visit, but a health department permits a septic system on a percolation test dug on the actual lot, not on the survey.