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Beluga
(bul-LOO-guh)
| Current Population: |
24
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
|
| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Kenai Peninsula Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 3% (Borough),
Property: 5.9 mills (Borough), Special: None
|
| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Kenai Peninsula Borough |
|
| Location
and Climate |
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Beluga is located 8 miles northeast of Tyonek, along Cook Inlet in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. It lies 40 air miles southwest of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 61.171910° North Latitude
and -151.168260° West Longitude.
(Sec. 35, T017N, R010W, Seward Meridian.)
Beluga is located in the
Anchorage Recording District.
Winter temperatures typically range 4 to 22 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures average from 46 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature extremes have been recorded from a low of -27 to a high of 91degrees Fahrenheit. Average annual precipitation is 23 inches and average annual snowfall of 82 inches. |
Topographic
map of
Beluga
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Various Tanaina Athabascan settlements in this area include Old Tyonek Creek, Robert Creek, Timber Camp, Beluga, and Moquawkie Indian Reservation. Russian trading settlements were established in the area prior to the 1790s. Beluga means "white whale" in Russian, and refers to the beluga whales that feed in Cook Inlet. Between 1836 and 1840, half of the region's Indians died from a smallpox epidemic. The Alaska Commercial Company had a major outpost at nearby Tyonek by 1875. In 1880, "Tyonok" station and village, believed to be two separate communities, had a total of 117 residents, including 109 Athabascans, 6 "creoles" and 2 whites. After gold was discovered at Resurrection Creek in the 1880s, Tyonek became a major disembarkment point for goods and people. A saltery was established in 1896 at the mouth of the Chuitna River north of Tyonek. In 1915, the Tyonek Reservation (also known as Moquawkie Indian Reservation) was established. The village of Tyonek was moved to its present location atop a bluff when the old site flooded in the early 1930s.
The population of the community consists of 25%
Alaska Native or part Native.
There are over 50 homes in the community, but a large number are used only seasonally.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 54, and vacant housing units numbered 41.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 36.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 0 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
0 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $0, per capita income was $0, and
0 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| All occupied homes are fully plumbed. There are three permitted landfill sites in the area.
Electricity is provided by Chugach Electric Association.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Tyonek Health Clinic (907-583-2461) in Tyonek.
Auxiliary health care is provided by Tyonek Health Clinic; Tyonek Volunteer Rescue Squad (585-2271).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Beluga is the site of a power plant owned by Chugach Electric Association and provides some electricity for Anchorage. There are seven combustion turbines fueled by natural gas and one fueled by steam. A large reserve of coal is located nearby, although permitting, road and port improvements would be necessary to develop a product for export.
A 2,400' gravel lighted airstrip is owned by Arco Alaska at Beluga. A road connects to nearby Tyonek. Barges deliver heavy goods to the area, and a dock is available. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Kenai Peninsula Borough
144 North Binkley Street
Soldotna, AK 99669
Phone 907-262-4441
Fax 907-714-2377
E-mail assemblyclerk@borough.kenai.ak.us
Web http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us
Regional Native Health Corporation - Southcentral Foundation
4501 Diplomacy
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-729-4955
Fax 907-729-4972
E-mail katherineg@scf.cc
Web http://www.southcentralfoundation.com
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