Frost line depth in Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Frost reaches about 71 inches in typical soil across Bethel Census Area, from 66″ in the mildest ZIP code to 76″ in the coldest. Codes in this climate commonly set footing depth at 60 to 84 inches.
Severe frostFrost depth by soil type
| Soil type | Est. frost depth |
|---|---|
| Sand / gravel (drains well) | 89″ |
| Silt / loam (typical yard soil) | 71″ |
| Clay (holds water) | 61″ |
County average. Methodology.
Verify before you dig. These are climate-based estimates. The legally required frost depth is the figure your building department publishes in its IRC Table R301.2 (climatic and geographic design criteria). Call the Bethel Census Area building or permitting office in Alaska and call 811 before digging.
Frost depth by ZIP code in Bethel Census Area
| ZIP | City | Est. frost | Code range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99545 | Kongiganak | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99551 | Akiachak | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99552 | Akiak | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99557 | Aniak | 72″ | 60–90″ |
| 99559 | Bethel | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99561 | Chefornak | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99575 | Crooked Creek | 76″ | 60–90″ |
| 99578 | Eek | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99589 | Goodnews Bay | 66″ | 54–84″ |
| 99607 | Kalskag | 72″ | 60–90″ |
| 99609 | Kasigluk | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99614 | Kipnuk | 68″ | 54–84″ |
| 99621 | Kwethluk | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99622 | Kwigillingok | 69″ | 54–84″ |
| 99626 | Lower Kalskag | 71″ | 60–90″ |
| 99630 | Mekoryuk | 66″ | 54–84″ |
| 99634 | Napakiak | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99637 | Toksook Bay | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99641 | Nunapitchuk | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99651 | Platinum | 69″ | 54–84″ |
| 99655 | Quinhagak | 70″ | 60–84″ |
| 99656 | Red Devil | 76″ | 60–90″ |
| 99668 | Sleetmute | 76″ | 60–90″ |
| 99679 | Tuluksak | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99680 | Tuntutuliak | 71″ | 60–84″ |
| 99681 | Tununak | 70″ | 54–84″ |
| 99690 | Nightmute | 69″ | 54–84″ |
What this means for your project in Bethel Census Area
Deck footings & piers
Footings must bear below the frost line and at least 12″ below undisturbed ground. For planning in this area, budget for holes around 84″ deep until your permit office confirms the exact figure.
Fence posts
Set posts at least one-third of their above-ground height. Where frost heave is a problem, carry concrete footings below the frost line (about 71″ here in typical soil) and bell or taper the bottom.
Water & irrigation lines
Bury supply lines below the frost depth. Your water utility or plumbing code sets the minimum cover; in a climate this cold, 4 feet or more is common for service lines.
Slabs & frost-protected foundations
Frost-protected shallow foundations (IRC R403.3) use the 100-year air freezing index — 5,190 °F-days here — to size perimeter insulation, letting footings sit shallower than the frost line.
Weather stations used
| NOAA weather station | Distance | 100-yr AFI |
|---|---|---|
| Bethel Airport, AK | 11 mi | 5,195 |
| King Salmon Airport, AK | 222 mi | 3,972 |
| Mcgrath Airport, AK | 256 mi | 6,819 |
| Nome Airport, AK | 292 mi | 5,859 |
Nearby counties
Common questions
What is the frost line depth in Bethel Census Area?
About 71 inches in typical soil, based on NOAA's 100-year air freezing index. Across the county's ZIP codes the estimate runs from 66 to 76 inches.
How deep should footings be in Bethel Census Area, Alaska?
Codes in climates like this commonly require 60 to 84 inches. The Bethel Census Area building department publishes the required frost depth in its adopted code (IRC Table R301.2).
Does frost depth vary within Bethel Census Area?
Yes. Estimates differ by 10 inches between the coldest and mildest ZIP codes, mostly from latitude and elevation. Check your own ZIP below.