| |
Ekwok
(ECK-wock)
For Photos of Ekwok click here
For a Map of Ekwok click here
| Current Population: |
121
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
|
| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: None
|
| Coastal Management District: |
Bristol Bay CRSA |
|
| Location
and Climate |
|
Ekwok is located along the Nushagak River, 43 miles northeast of Dillingham and 285 miles southwest of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 59.349720° North Latitude
and -157.475280° West Longitude.
(Sec. 35, T009S, R049W, Seward Meridian.)
Ekwok is located in the
Bristol Bay Recording District.
The area encompasses 16.0
sq. miles of land and 1.4 sq. miles
of water.
Ekwok is in a climatic transition zone. The primary influence is maritime, although a continental climate also affects the weather. Average summer temperatures range from 30 to 66 °F; winter temperatures average from 4 to 30 °F. Precipitation averages 20 to 35 inches each year. Extremely strong winds are common during winter months. Fog is prevalent during summer months. The river is ice-free from June through mid-November. |
Topographic
map of
Ekwok
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Ekwok means "end of the bluff" and is the oldest continuously occupied Yup'ik Eskimo village on the river. During the 1800s, the settlement was used in the spring and summer as a fish camp and in the fall as a base for berry-picking. By 1923, it was the largest settlement along the river. In 1930, a BIA school was constructed. Mail was delivered by dog sled from Dillingham until a post office opened in 1941. Many of the earliest homes in Ekwok were located in a low flat area near the riverbank. After a severe flood in the early 1960s, villagers relocated to the current location on higher ground. The city was incorporated in 1974.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Ekwok Village.
The population of the community consists of 93.8%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Ekwok is a Yup'ik Eskimo village with a fishing and subsistence lifestyle.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 56, and vacant housing units numbered 14.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 5.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 28 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
20 percent,
although
55.56 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $16,250, per capita income was $11,079, and
32.08 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
|
| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Individual wells provide water for the majority of the community. 20 HUD homes have individual wells and a piped septic system. The city operates a piped sewage system with a sewage lift station, which connects to 16 additional residences. The remaining homes use septic systems or a flush/haul system; a sewage pumper is available. 36 of 42 homes have complete plumbing. Refuse collection services are provided.
Electricity is provided by Ekwok Electric.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 22
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Ekwok Clinic (907-464-3322).
Ekwok is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2I in the Bristol Bay Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Ekwok Fire & EMS (VPSO 907-464-3326) and Ekwok First Responders (CHP 907-464-3322).
|
| Economy
and Transportation |
A few residents trap. The entire population depends on subsistence activities for various food sources. Salmon, pike, moose, caribou, duck, and berries are harvested. Summer gardens are also popular, because families do not leave the village to fish for subsistence purposes. Most residents are not interested in participating in a cash economy. Only three residents hold commercial fishing permits in Ekwok. The village corporation owns a fishing lodge two miles downriver. Gravel is mined near the community.
Air transport is most frequently used to reach Ekwok. Regular and charter flights are available from Dillingham. There is a state-owned 2,720' long by 75' wide gravel runway. Float planes land on the Nushagak River. Cargo is brought in during ice-free months from Dillingham by Coastal Marine Transport barge service. There are no docking facilities, but a barge off-loading area exists. Skiffs, ATVs, and snowmachines are used for local transportation to other villages. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Ekwok
P.O. Box 49
Ekwok, AK 99580-0049
Phone 907-464-3311
Fax 907-464-3328
E-mail cityofekwok@yahoo.com
Village Corporation -
Ekwok Natives Limited
P.O. Box 1189
Dillingham, AK 99580
Phone 907-464-3317
Fax 907-464-3305
Village Council -
Ekwok Village
P.O. Box 70
Ekwok, AK 99580
Phone 907-464-3336
Fax 907-464-3378
E-mail ekwokvillagecouncil@starband.net
Web http://www.bbna.com
Regional
Organizations
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
CDQ Group - Bristol Bay Econ. Dev. Corp.
P.O. Box 1464
Dillingham, AK 99576-1464
Phone 907-842-4370
Fax 907-842-4336
E-mail sockeye1@nushtel.net
Web http://www.bbedc.com
|
 |
|
