| |
Crooked Creek
For a Map of Crooked Creek click here
| Current Population: |
132
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
|
| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
|
|
| Location
and Climate |
|
Crooked Creek is located on the north bank of the Kuskokwim River at its junction with Crooked Creek. It lies in the Kilbuk-Kuskokwim Mountains 50 miles northeast of Aniak, 141 miles northeast of Bethel, and 275 miles west of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 61.870000° North Latitude
and -158.110830° West Longitude.
(Sec. 32, T021N, R048W, Seward Meridian.)
Crooked Creek is located in the
Fairbanks Recording District.
A continental climate prevails in the area. Snowfall measures 85 inches per year, with total precipitation averaging 17 inches per year. Temperatures range from -59 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit. High winds often cause flight delays in the fall and winter. The Kuskokwim is ice-free from mid-June through October. |
Topographic
map of
Crooked Creek
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| It was first reported in 1844 by the Russian explorer Zagoskin, who recorded the name of the creek as "Kvikchagpak," or "great bend" in Yup'ik, and as "Khottylno," or "sharp turn" in Ingalik Indian. He noted that the site was used as a summer fish camp for the nearby villagers of Kwigiumpainukamuit. In 1909, a permanent settlement was established as a way station for the Flat and Iditarod gold mining camps. The USGS reported it in 1910 as "Portage Village" because it was at the south end of a portage route up Crooked Creek to the placer mines. In 1914, Denis Parent founded a trading post upriver from the creek mouth, in what would become the "upper village" of Crooked Creek. A post office was opened in 1927 and a school was built in 1928. The "lower village" was settled by Eskimos and Ingalik Indians. By the early 1940s, there was a Russian Orthodox Church, St. Nicholas Chapel, and several homes. The upper and lower portions of the village remain today. Gold production continued through the late 1980s, when Western Gold Mining and Exploration went out of business.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Village of Crooked Creek.
The population of the community consists of 93.4%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Crooked Creek is a mixed Yup'ik Eskimo and Ingalik Athabascan village with a lifestyle reliant on subsistence activities.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 46, and vacant housing units numbered 8.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 29 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
42 percent,
although
67.78 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $17,500, per capita income was $6,495, and
28.08 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| All homes lack plumbing; residents haul water and honeybuckets. A well provides treated water, and a washeteria is also available. The school, store, and three homes have individual wells, septic tanks and plumbing. The school septic drainfield is failing. The community needs a new water tank and landfill with access road.
Electricity is provided by Middle Kuskokwim Electric Cooperative.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 38
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Crooked Creek Health Clinic (907-432-2222).
Crooked Creek is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 7A in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Region. Emergency Services have river and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
|
| Economy
and Transportation |
The economy is focused on subsistence activities. Salmon, moose, caribou and water fowl are staples of the diet. There are a few year-round positions at the school and store. Some residents trap and sell pelts. The Calista Corp., Kuskokwim Corp., and Placer Dome U.S. have signed an exploration and mining lease for Donlin Creek, north of Crooked Creek. Placer Dome has a 70% interest and will invest $30 million to conduct a feasibility study and develop a working gold mine by 2007, producing an estimated 600,000 ounces a year.
The Kuskokwim River is the local highway in both summer and winter. ATVs and snow machines are used by residents. The frozen river becomes an ice road in winter. Skiffs and barges provide cargo in summer. A State-owned and operated 1,997' long y 60' wide gravel airstrip is southwest of the village, with scheduled weekday air services. A suspension bridge over Crooked Creek connects the upper and lower villages with the airport. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Village Council -
Village of Crooked Creek
P.O. Box 69
Crooked Creek, AK 99575
Phone 907-432-2200
Fax 907-432-2201
E-mail cctc@starband.net
Web http://www.iditacom.org
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Calista Corporation
301 Calista Court, Suite A
Anchorage, AK 99518-3028
Phone 907-279-5516
Fax 907-272-5060
E-mail calista@calistacorp.com
Web http://www.calistacorp.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corp.
P.O. Box 528
Bethel, AK 99559
Phone 907-543-6020
Fax 907-543-6006
E-mail gene_peltola@ykhc.org
Web http://www.ykhc.org/
Regional Native Non-Profit - Kuskokwim Native Association
P.O. Box 127
Aniak, AK 99557
Phone 907-675-4384
Fax 907-675-4387
|
 |
|
