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Allakaket
(al-uh-KACK-ut); also see New Allakaket
For Photos of Allakaket click here
| Current Population: |
96
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: None
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| Location
and Climate |
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Allakaket is on the south bank of the Koyukuk River, southwest of its junction with the Alatna River, approximately 190 air miles northwest of Fairbanks and 57 miles upriver from Hughes. The village of Alatna is located directly across the river. The community
lies at approximately 66.562610° North Latitude
and -152.647560° West Longitude.
(Sec. 14, T020N, R024W, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Allakaket is located in the
Fairbanks Recording District.
The area encompasses 3.6
sq. miles of land and 0.7 sq. miles
of water.
The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. The average high temperature during July is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low temperature during January is well below zero and extended periods of -40 degrees Fahrenheit are common. The highest temperature ever recorded was 94 degrees Fahrenheit and the lowest was -75 degrees Fahrenheit. Average precipitation is 13 inches and annual snowfall is 72 inches. The Koyukuk River is ice-free from June through October. |
Topographic
map of
Allakaket
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Several Native groups have lived in the area, including Koyukon Athabascans and Kobuk, Selawik, and Nunamiut Eskimos from the north and northwest. The Koyukon lived in several camps throughout the year, moving as the seasons changed, following the wild game and fish. The various bands established joint settlements after 1851. The old site of Alatna was a traditional trading center for Athabascans and Eskimos. The first mission on the Koyukuk River, St. John's-in-the-Wilderness Episcopal Mission, was established in 1906. A post office was opened in 1925. In 1938, the name of the community was changed to Allakaket (the old name for the mission), and the name Alatna was assumed by the small Eskimo community across the river. The first public school was established in 1957. A flood caused by ice jamming inundated 85% of the community in the Spring of 1964. In 1975, the community incorporated as a City, including both settlements of Allakaket and Alatna. A clinic and airport were built in 1978. A new school and community roads were built in 1979. In September 1994, flood waters destroyed and swept away nearly all of the community's buildings, homes, and food caches for the winter. Residents rebuilt near the old City site, but some new homes and facilities are now located outside of the incorporated City boundaries. New Allakaket and Alatna are located outside of the City limits.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Allakaket Village.
The population of the community consists of 95.9%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Allakaket is mainly an Athabascan community; Kobuk Eskimos live across the river in Alatna. Two separate village councils exist. Traditional potlatches, dances and foot races attract visitors from area villages. Subsistence activities provide the majority of food sources. Sale, importation, and possession of alcohol are banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 59, and vacant housing units numbered 18.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 11.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 28 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
39.13 percent,
although
61.11 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $16,563, per capita income was $10,912, and
12.9 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Most public facilities were severely damaged in the 1994 Koyukuk River flood. Major components have been replaced -- a new washeteria, well and treatment plant, 100,000-gal. water storage tank, sewage lagoon, and force main have recently been completed. The lagoon is connected to the washeteria and school. Residents carry treated water and haul honeybuckets or use pit privies; no households have plumbing.
Electricity is provided by Alaska Power Company.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 40
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Allakaket Health Clinic (907-968-2248).
Allakaket Health Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Allakaket is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have river and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Most cash jobs are part-time or seasonal. The primary year-round employers are the school, City, Tribe and village corporation store. Construction and BLM emergency firefighting provide summer jobs. A few earn income from trapping or selling traditional Native handicrafts. Subsistence is the focus of the local economy. Salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, small game and berries provide most food sources. Caribou are taken when available.
Allakaket has no road link, but winter trails connect it with Hughes, Bettles and Tanana. River transportation is important in summer, but there is no commercial barge access due to shallow water. A State-owned 4,000' long by 100' wide gravel runway is accessible year-round. A $6 million airport improvement began construction in 1997. Arctic Circle Air Service, Frontier Flying Service, Larry's Flying Service, Servant Air, Tanana Air Service, Warbelow's Air Ventures, and Wright Air Service offer passenger flight service. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Allakaket
P.O. Box 30
Allakaket, AK 99720
Phone 907-968-2423
Fax 907-968-2241
Village Council -
Allakaket Village
P.O. Box 50
Allakaket, AK 99720
Phone 907-968-2237
Fax 907-968-2233
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Doyon, Limited
1 Doyon Place, Suite 300
Fairbanks, AK 99701-2941
Phone 907-459-2000
Fax 907-459-2060
E-mail info@doyon.com
Web http://www.doyon.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Tanana Chiefs Conference
P.O. Box 129
Tok, AK 99780
Phone 907-883-5181
Fax 907-883-1114
E-mail rose.isaac@tananachiefs.org
Native Housing Authority - Allakaket Village
P.O. Box 50
Allakaket, AK 99720
Phone 907-968-2237
Fax 907-968-2233
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