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Chignik
(CHIG-nick); a.k.a. Chignik Bay
For Photos of Chignik click here
For a Map of Chignik click here
| Current Population: |
59
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Lake & Peninsula Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: 2% Raw Fish Tax (Borough); 6% Bed Tax (Borough)
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| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Lake & Peninsula Borough |
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| Location
and Climate |
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The City of Chignik is located on Anchorage Bay on the south shore of the Alaska Peninsula. It lies 450 miles southwest of Anchorage and 260 miles southwest of Kodiak. The community
lies at approximately 56.295280° North Latitude
and -158.402220° West Longitude.
(Sec. 07, T045S, R058W, Seward Meridian.)
Chignik is located in the
Aleutian Islands Recording District.
The area encompasses 11.7
sq. miles of land and 4.2 sq. miles
of water.
Chignik has a maritime climate characterized by cool summers and warm, rainy winters. Cloud cover and heavy winds are prevalent during winter months. Summer temperatures range from 39 to 60 °F. Winter temperatures average 20 °F. Annual precipitation averages 127 inches, with an average snowfall of 58 inches. |
Topographic
map of
Chignik
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| A village called "Kalwak" was originally located here; it was destroyed during the Russian fur boom in the late 1700s. Chignik, meaning "big wind," was established in the late 1800s as a fishing village and cannery. A four-masted sailing ship called the "Star of Alaska" transported workers and supplies between Chignik and San Francisco. Chinese crews from San Francisco traveled to Chignik in early spring to make tin cans for the cannery. Japanese workers followed in mid-June to begin processing. A post office was established in 1901. Coal mining occurred from 1899 to 1915. Chignik became an incorporated city in 1983. Today, two of the historical canneries are still in operation.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Chignik Bay Tribal Council (formerly th Native Village of Chignik).
The population of the community consists of 60.8%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The community is presently a mixture of non-Natives and Alutiiq. Subsistence on fish and caribou is important to residents' livelihoods.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 80, and vacant housing units numbered 51.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 42.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 35 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
35.19 percent,
although
46.15 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $34,250, per capita income was $16,166, and
4.49 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is supplied by Indian Creek, which has a dam and a reservoir. Water is treated and piped into all 60 homes and the school. A well is available for back-up water supply. Piped sewage is collected in community septic tanks, and wastewater is discharged via ocean outfall lines; approximately 45 homes are served. The remainder use individual septic tanks. All homes are completely plumbed. A permitted landfill is available.
Electricity is provided by Chignik Electric.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 14
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Chignik Bay Sub Regional Health Clinic (907-749-2282).
The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Chignik is classified as an isolated town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 2I in the Bristol Bay Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Chignik Bay Fire & Rescue (clinic 907-749-2282).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
As is typical of villages in the region, commercial fishing and subsistence activities are the mainstays of the economy. Twelve residents hold commercial fishing permits. Two fish processing plants operate in Chignik: Norquest Adak and Trident Seafoods. Salmon, herring roe, halibut, cod, and crab are processed here; between 600 and 800 people come to Chignik to fish or work in the plants each summer. Residents depend on subsistence foods, including salmon, trout, crab, clams, caribou, and moose.
Chignik is accessible by air and sea. There is a state-owned 2,600' long by 60' wide gravel runway and a seaplane base. Regular flights run from King Salmon and Port Heiden. Chignik Fisheries also owns a 1,630' gravel airstrip. Barge services arrive weekly from late spring through early fall and monthly during the remainder of the year. The state ferry operates bi-monthly from Kodiak between May and October. A 600' privately-owned dock and boat haul-out are available. A breakwater, 110-slip small boat harbor, and public dock are under development. ATVs and skiffs are the primary means of local transportation. There is a strong regional interest in constructing roads between Chignik, Chignik Lagoon, Chignik Lake, and the city landfill. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Chignik
P.O. Box 110
Chignik, AK 99564-0110
Phone 907-749-2280
Fax 907-749-2300
E-mail cityoffice@chignik.org
Village Corporation -
Far West, Incorporated
P.O. Box 124
Chignik, AK 99603
Phone 907-235-7981
Fax 907-235-7981
Village Council -
Chignik Bay Tribal Council
P.O. Box 50
Chignik Bay, AK 99564
Phone 907-749-2445
Fax 907-749-2423
E-mail cbaytc@aol.com
Web http://www.bbna.com
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Lake & Peninsula Borough
P.O. Box 495
King Salmon, AK 99613
Phone 907-246-3421
Fax 907-246-6602
E-mail kateconley@lakeandpen.com, ljcotten@gci.net
Web http://www.lakeandpen.com
Regional Native Corporation - Bristol Bay Native Corporation
111 W 16th Ave, Suite 400
Anchorage, AK 99501-6299
Phone 907-278-3602
Fax 907-276-3924
E-mail jasonmetrokin@bbnc.net
Web http://www.bbnc.net
Regional Native Non-Profit - Bristol Bay Native Association
P.O. Box 310
Dillingham, AK 99576
Phone 907-842-5257
Fax 907-842-5932
E-mail randersen@bbna.com, vbraswell@bbna.com
Web http://www.bbna.com
Native Housing Authority - Bristol Bay Housing Authority
P.O. Box 50
Dillingham, AK 99576
Phone 907-842-5956
Fax 907-842-2784
E-mail dmcclure@bbha.org
Web http://www.bbha.org
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