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Beaver
(BEE-vur)
For Photos of Beaver click here
For a Map of Beaver click here
| Current Population: |
65
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
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| Location
and Climate |
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Beaver is located on the north bank of the Yukon River, approximately 60 air miles southwest of Fort Yukon and 110 miles north of Fairbanks. It lies in the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge. The community
lies at approximately 66.359440° North Latitude
and -147.396390° West Longitude.
(Sec. 30, T018N, R002E, Fairbanks Meridian.)
Beaver is located in the
Fairbanks Recording District.
Beaver has a continental subarctic climate characterized by seasonal extreme temperatures. The average high temperature during July ranges from 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low temperature during January is well below zero. Extended periods of -50 to -60 degrees Fahrenheit are common. Extreme temperatures ranging from a low of -70 to a high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit have been measured. Precipitation averages 6.5 inches. The average annual snowfall is 43.4 inches. The Yukon River is ice-free from mid-June to mid-October. |
Topographic
map of
Beaver
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Gold discoveries in the Chandalar region in 1907 led to the founding of Beaver. It was established as the Yukon River terminus for miners heading north to the gold fields. The Alaska Road Commission built a trail from Beaver north to Caro on the Chandalar River around 1907. In 1910, Thomas Carter and H.E. Ashelby established a store at Beaver, and three freight companies operated on the trail, commonly known as Government Road. In 1911, about the time the gold rush was over, Frank Yasuda, a Japanese who had traded at Point Barrow and prospected in the Brooks Range, arrived with a group of Eskimos and became a partner in the trading post. They served the remaining mines in the region, supplied riverboats with firewood, and traded with Eskimo and Indian fur trappers. A post office was established in 1913, and a second trading post opened in the early 1920s. The first Beaver school opened in 1928, and an airstrip was built in the 1930s. Beaver's population remained stable from 1950 through the 1970s. In 1974, the village council purchased the local store and set it up as a cooperative, with villagers holding shares of stock.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Beaver Village.
The population of the community consists of 95.2%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The population of Beaver is predominantly mixed Gwitchin/Koyukuk Athabascan and Inupiat Eskimo. Subsistence is an important source of food items.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 54, and vacant housing units numbered 23.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 10.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 55 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
17.91 percent,
although
36.05 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $28,750, per capita income was $8,441, and
11.11 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| A new well and pumphouse were constructed in 1997; residents haul treated water from this point. Honeybuckets are used for sewage disposal in all homes; a village-operated vehicle is used to haul wastes. Villagers rely on the washeteria for bathing and laundry. The washeteria and school use individual septic systems.
Electricity is provided by Beaver Joint Utilities.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 10
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Beaver Clinic (907-628-6228).
Beaver Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Beaver 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 |
Almost all Beaver residents are involved in subsistence activities. Moose, salmon, freshwater fish, bear and waterfowl supply meat. Poor fish returns since 1998 have significantly affected the community. Gardening and berry-picking are popular activities. Most wage employment is at the school, post office, clinic and village council. Seasonal wages are earned through BLM fire fighting, construction jobs, trapping, producing handicrafts or selling cut firewood.
The State-owned 3,954' long by 75' wide lighted gravel airstrip provides daily air service. Fuel, store goods and supplies are shipped to Beaver via air cargo or barge during the summers. Trucks and ATVs are used by many residents. Snowmachines and dog teams are used during winter. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Village Corporation -
Beaver Kwit'chin
P.O. Box 24090
Beaver, AK 99724
Phone 907-456-4183
Village Council -
Beaver Village
P.O. Box 24029
Beaver, AK 99724
Phone 907-628-6126
Fax 907-628-6815
E-mail beavercouncil@hotmail.com
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
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