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Eek
(EEK)
| Current Population: |
272
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
|
| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 2%,
Property: None, Special: None
|
| Coastal Management District: |
Ceñaliulriit CRSA |
|
| Location
and Climate |
|
Eek lies on the south bank of the Eek River, 12 miles east of the mouth of the Kuskokwim River. It is 35 air miles south of Bethel and 420 miles west of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 60.218890° North Latitude
and -162.024440° West Longitude.
(Sec. 31, T002N, R073W, Seward Meridian.)
Eek is located in the
Bethel Recording District.
The area encompasses 0.9
sq. miles of land and 0.1 sq. miles
of water.
Eek is located in a marine climate. Precipitation averages 22 inches, with 43 inches of snowfall annually. Summer temperatures average 41 to 57 °F; winter temperatures average 6 to 24 °F. |
Topographic
map of
Eek
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The village was originally located on the Apokok River. It moved to its present location in the 1930s when constant flooding and erosion forced a relocation. A BIA school and a Moravian Church were constructed at the new site. A post office was established in 1949. The city was incorporated in 1970.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Eek.
The population of the community consists of 96.8%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Eek is a traditional Yup'ik Eskimo village with a subsistence lifestyle. 80 to 90% of the diet consists of salmon. All five Pacific salmon species spawn in the Eek River. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 83, and vacant housing units numbered 7.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 55 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
17.91 percent,
although
65.41 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $17,500, per capita income was $8,957, and
28.85 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The city and village have formed a joint utility commission. Water is derived from Eek River and is treated and stored in a tank at the washeteria. A few homes have tanks that provide running water to the kitchen, but houses do not have additional plumbing. Rain catchment systems and ice melt are also used for drinking water. Honeybuckets are collected by the city and disposed of in a sewage lagoon.
Electricity is provided by AVEC.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 88
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Eek Health Clinic (907-536-5614).
Eek is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 7A in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
|
| Economy
and Transportation |
Eek's economy is primarily subsistence and commercial fishing-based. A few full-time positions are available at the school, city, and village office. All families participate in subsistence fishing; 39 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Poor fish returns and prices in recent years have significantly affected the economy.
A state-owned 1,420' long by 35' wide gravel airstrip provides chartered and private air access. A seaplane base is also available on the Eek River. Fishing boats, skiffs, and snowmachines are used for local transportation to Bethel and other villages. There is a one-mile gravel road in the city. Winter trails are marked to Quinhagak (39 mi.), Eek Island (15 mi.), and the Kwethluk River (45 mi.). Barges deliver fuel and supplies during the summer months. A dock is available. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Eek
P.O. Box 9
Eek, AK 99578
Phone 907-536-5129
Fax 907-536-5711
E-mail cityofeek@yahoo.com
Village Corporation -
Iqfijouaq Company, Incorporated
P.O. Box 49
Eek, AK 99578
Phone 907-536-5211
Fax 907-536-5733
Village Council -
Native Village of Eek
P.O. Box 89
Eek, AK 99578
Phone 907-536-5128
Fax 907-536-5711
E-mail etcgov@yahoo.com
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/
CDQ Group - Coastal Villages Region Fund
711 H Street, Suite 200
Anchorage, AK 99501-3461
Phone 907-278-5151
Fax 907-278-5150
E-mail morgen_c@coastalvillages.org
Web http://www.coastalvillages.org/
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