Soil series profile
Tatalina soil series
Tatalina is a poorly drained soil with a muck surface, mapped on 763,987 acres in 2 counties in AK. Hydrologic group D.
- Drainage class
- Poorly drained 100% of mapped acres
- Hydrologic group
- D 100% of mapped acres
- Typical topsoil pH
- Not reported
- Mapped area
- 764k acres in 2 counties, 1 state
Typical Tatalina profile
Texture and pH by depth
Show as a table
| Depth | Texture | pH | Clay | Sand | Organic matter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–2 in (Oi) | Slightly decomposed plant material | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | 75% |
| 2–7 in (Oe) | Moderately decomposed plant material | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | 75% |
| 7–10 in (Oa) | Muck | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported | 75% |
| 10–15 in (A) | Very gravelly silt loam | 6.4 | 8% | 34% | 4% |
| 15–18 in (C) | Very gravelly loam | 6.3 | 8% | 47% | 1% |
| 18–39 in (2Cf) | Permanently frozen very gravelly loam | 6.3 | 8% | 47% | 0.5% |
What this means
What Tatalina soil means for gardens, lawns and septic systems
For gardens
Organic muck or peat is the most common topsoil (100% of mapped Tatalina acres). It is rich and holds water, but is often wet, can be acidic, and settles when drained. The most common surface texture is muck (100% of mapped Tatalina acres).
100% of mapped Tatalina acres is somewhat poorly to very poorly drained, so soil stays soggy for long spells after rain and in wet seasons. Raised beds, plants that tolerate wet feet, and not working the soil while wet all help.
For lawns and yards
On 100% of mapped acres, rain soaks in slowly (hydrologic groups C and D, including dual groups that are D until drained). Expect runoff and puddles after heavy rain: core-aerate compacted lawns and keep ground sloping away from foundations.
A seasonal high water table comes within 18 inches of the surface on 100% of mapped acres, often in spring. Basements, sump pumps and lawns in low spots feel it first.
For a septic system
For conventional septic absorption fields, NRCS rates 100% of the acres in mapped Tatalina soils very limited, 0% somewhat limited and 0% not limited.
Where the soil is very limited (slow permeability, a high water table, flooding, shallow bedrock or steep slopes), alternative systems such as mound or sand-filter designs are common and cost more.
Only a licensed site evaluation or perc test at the actual lot decides whether a system is allowed and which design.
Where Tatalina soil is found
Mapped acres
Tatalina is mapped in Alaska.
| County | Acres | Share of county land |
|---|---|---|
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK | 763,312 | 1.4% |
| Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, AK | 676 | 0.0% |
Septic absorption fields
NRCS rating, share of Tatalina acres
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Not limited | 0.0% |
| Somewhat limited | 0.0% |
| Very limited | 100.0% |
Drainage, water table and flooding
Share of Tatalina acres
- Depth to seasonal high water table
- About 4 inches (median where reported); within 18 inches on 100% of acres.
- Flooding
- Not mapped as flooding on most acres.
- Slope
- Typically 5–10% (median 10%).
- Topsoil organic matter
- Median 75%.
Drainage class
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| Excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat excessively drained | 0.0% |
| Well drained | 0.0% |
| Moderately well drained | 0.0% |
| Somewhat poorly drained | 0.0% |
| Poorly drained | 100.0% |
| Very poorly drained | 0.0% |
Hydrologic soil group
Show as a table
| Category | Share of acres |
|---|---|
| A: fast infiltration (mostly sandy or gravelly) | 0.0% |
| B: moderate infiltration | 0.0% |
| C: slow infiltration | 0.0% |
| D: very slow infiltration (clayey, shallow or wet) | 100.0% |
| A/D: D as is, A if drained | 0.0% |
| B/D: D as is, B if drained | 0.0% |
| C/D: D as is, C if drained | 0.0% |
Sources & data dates
- Source
- USDA NRCS Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), queried through Soil Data Access. Public domain.
- Data date
- SSURGO as published on November 3, 2026 (most recent survey area update October 26, 2026). NRCS refreshes SSURGO each October.
- Scope
- All map unit components named Tatalina (component kind "Series") in SSURGO: 763,987 acres.
- Method
- Shares are by mapped acres of Tatalina components. The profile comes from the single largest Tatalina component. Full methodology.