Frostline.info

Frost line depth in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska

Frost reaches about 37 inches in typical soil across Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, from 29″ in the mildest ZIP code to 42″ in the coldest. Codes in this climate commonly set footing depth at 30 to 48 inches.

Source: NOAA 100-year air freezing index (1951–80 station records) · Last reviewed

Deep frost
Estimated frost depth
37″
typical silt/loam soil
Typical code footing depth
30–48″
rule of thumb for this climate
Design freezing index
1,442
°F-days, 100-year winter
ZIP codes covered
6
#27 of 33 counties in AK (1 = deepest)
37″ 0″12″24″36″48″60″ ground frozen
Est. frost (typical soil) Typical code footing depth Clay–sand range

Frost depth by soil type

Soil typeEst. frost depth
Sand / gravel (drains well)47″
Silt / loam (typical yard soil)37″
Clay (holds water)32″

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 Hoonah-Angoon Census Area building or permitting office in Alaska and call 811 before digging.

Frost depth by ZIP code in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area

ZIPCityEst. frostCode range
99820Angoon29″24–36″
99825Elfin Cove40″36–48″
99826Gustavus42″36–54″
99829Hoonah42″36–54″
99832Pelican35″30–48″
99841Tenakee Springs35″30–48″

What this means for your project in Hoonah-Angoon 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 48″ 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 37″ 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 — 1,442 °F-days here — to size perimeter insulation, letting footings sit shallower than the frost line.

Weather stations used

NOAA weather stationDistance100-yr AFI
Juneau Airport, AK45 mi2,057
Annex Creek, AK59 mi1,762
Sitka Airport, AK65 mi735
Sitka Magnetic Obsy, AK66 mi934

Nearby counties

Common questions

What is the frost line depth in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area?

About 37 inches in typical soil, based on NOAA's 100-year air freezing index. Across the county's ZIP codes the estimate runs from 29 to 42 inches.

How deep should footings be in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska?

Codes in climates like this commonly require 30 to 48 inches. The Hoonah-Angoon Census Area building department publishes the required frost depth in its adopted code (IRC Table R301.2).

Does frost depth vary within Hoonah-Angoon Census Area?

Yes. Estimates differ by 13 inches between the coldest and mildest ZIP codes, mostly from latitude and elevation. Check your own ZIP below.