LOCATION EKLUTNA                 AK

Established Series
GH/DM
02/2022

EKLUTNA SERIES


The Eklutna series consists of very deep, excessively drained soils formed in a gravelly alluvium. Eklutna soils are on terraces and alluvial fans. Slopes range from 0 to 3 percent. The mean annual temperature is about 36 degrees F., and the average annual precipitation is about 16 inches.

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Sandy-skeletal, mixed Typic Cryorthents

TYPICAL PEDON: Eklutna very gravelly sand - under forest. (All colors are for moist soil)

Oe--0 inches to 2; black (10YR 2/1) moderately decomposed plant material; many very fine and fine roots; strongly acid (pH 5.5); abrupt smooth boundary. (0 to 4 inches thick)

C--2 to 60 inches; dark grayish brown (2.5Y 4/2) very gravelly sand, 45 percent subrounded gravel and 10 percent subrounded cobble; single grain; loose, nonsticky and nonplastic; slightly acid (pH 6.5).

TYPE LOCATION: Anchorage Area, Alaska; approximately 2000 feet southwest of Eklutna Village; in the NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 24, T.16 N., R.1 W Anchorage B7NE, Alaska 1:25,000 quad, Seward Meridian; UTM north 6815814, UTM east 0373932, zone 6.

RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Depth to sand and gravel ranges from 0 to 4 inches. Total content of coarse fragments in the control section ranges from 40 to 60 percent; 35 to 60 percent gravel, 5 to 15 percent cobbles, and 0 to 5 percent stones. The soil moisture control section is affected by peak precipitation that occurs from July through October, and is relatively even throughout the rest of the year.

The O horizon has value of 2 or 3 and chroma of 1 to 3.

An A horizon may be present in some pedons.

The C horizon, has value of 3 to 5; and chroma of 2 to 4. Reaction is slightly acid or neutral.

COMPETING SERIES: These are the Alflack, Canlodore, Castlepeak, Chena, Cryomont, Graylock, Nataga, Nizina, Obscurity, Perfecto, Ragamuffin, Sofgran, Stecum, and Studebaker series. The Alflack soils have hard bedrock between 20 to 40 inches. Canlodore and Perfecto soils have albic horizons. Castlepeak soils have hues redder than 2.5Y. Chena soils have a high mica content. Cryomont soils have greater than 60 percent volcanic ash in the fine earth-fraction. Graylock soils have hard bedrock between 40 to 60 inches. Nataga soil moisture control section is affected by peak precipitation that occurs from September through February. Nizina soils have C horizons that are slightly to mildly alkaline. Obscurity and Studebaker soils have volcanic ash in the control section. Ragamuffin soils have soft bedrock between 20 to 40 inches. Sofgran soils have cambic horizons. Stecum soils have bedrock within 40 inches of the surface.

GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: The Eklutna soils are on terraces and alluvial fans. Slope ranges from 0 to 3 percent. The average annual precipitation ranges from 14 to 20 inches and the mean annual temperature ranges from 33 to 35 degrees F.

GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: Niklason soils are moderately well drained and occur in depression on stream terraces and alluvial fans.

DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Excessively drained. Low runoff. Rapid permeability.

USE AND VEGETATION: Wildlife habitat and recreation. Mostly forested; paper birch, cottonwoods, white spruce, and aspen are the dominant trees. Eklutna soils are excellent sources of sand and gravel.

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Cook Inlet-Susitna Lowlands. The series is of small extent.

SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (SSRO) RESPONSIBLE: WASILLA, ALASKA

SERIES ESTABLISHED: Anchorage Area, Alaska, 1999.

REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this profile
include: a cryic temperature regime; sandy-skeletal particle size from 4 to 40 inches.

ADDITIONAL DATA:


National Cooperative Soil Survey
U.S.A.