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Gakona
(guh-KOH-nuh)
For Photos of Gakona click here
For a Map of Gakona click here
| Current Population: |
220
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
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| Location
and Climate |
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Gakona is at the confluence of the Copper and Gakona Rivers, 15 miles northeast of Glennallen. It lies at mile 2 on the Tok Cutoff to the Glenn Highway, just east of the Richardson Highway. The community
lies at approximately 62.301940° North Latitude
and -145.301940° West Longitude.
(Sec. 18, T006N, R001E, Copper River Meridian.)
Gakona is located in the
Chitina Recording District.
Gakona is located in the continental climate zone, with long, cold winters and relatively warm summers. Temperature extremes have been recorded from -62 to 91. Snowfall averages 61 inches, with total precipitation of 13 inches per year. |
Topographic
map of
Gakona
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Ahtna Indians have lived in the Copper River basin for 5,000 to 7,000 years. Gakona served as a wood and fish camp, and later became a permanent village. In 1904 Doyle's Roadhouse was constructed at the junction of the Valdez-Eagle and Valdez-Fairbanks Trails, and became an essential stopping point for travelers. There was also a post office, stagecoach station and blacksmith shop here. Some buildings are still standing. Gakona Lodge was built in 1929 and is on the National Register of Historical Places. The lodge contains many old relics of the gold rush era.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Gakona.
The population of the community consists of 17.7%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The community has a commercial district, a non-Native residential area, and an Athabascan village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 90, and vacant housing units numbered 6.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 2.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 63 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
14.86 percent,
although
59.35 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $33,750, per capita income was $18,143, and
10.78 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| All residences have individual wells and septic systems and complete plumbing. The school uses its own well water system. Refuse collection services are available from Copper Basin Sanitation, which hauls waste to the Glennallen landfill.
Electricity is provided by Copper Valley Electric Assoc.
There is one school located in the community,
Local hospitals or health clinics include Chistochina Clinic (907-822-3280); Gakona Health Clinic (907-822-3646); Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen (907-822-3203).
Gakona is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2E in the Copper River Region. Emergency Services have highway and air access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite health care facility. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Copper River EMS (907-822-3671) and Gulkana Clinic; Cross Road Medical Center in Glennallen.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Gakona depends upon local businesses and seasonal tourist travel. There is a motel, restaurant, bar, newspaper print shop, sawmill and dog sled maker in Gakona. Summers provide income for local fishing and hunting guides, rafting operations and outfitters. Three residents hold commercial fishing permits. Some residents rely on subsistence activities and trapping. Recording equipment for the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) is located near Gakona.
The Glenn/Tok Cutoff and Richardson Highway provide access to the Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Lower 48. A 5,000' paved runway is available at nearby Gulkana. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Gakona Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 337
Gakona, AK 99586
Regional Health Corporation -
Mt. Sanford Tribal Consortium
P.O. Box 357
Gakona, AK 99586
Phone 907-822-5399
Fax 907-822-5810
E-mail ebeeter@tribalnet.org
Web http://www.mstc.org/
Village Council -
Native Village of Gakona
P.O. Box 102
Copper Center, AK 99586
Phone 907-822-5777
Fax 907-822-5997
E-mail gakonaadmin@cvinternet.net
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Corporation - Ahtna, Incorporated
P.O. Box 649
Glennallen, AK 99588
Phone 907-822-3476
Fax 907-822-3495
E-mail rtansy@ahtna.net
Web http://www.ahtna-inc.com
Regional Native Health Corporation - Mt. Sanford Tribal Consortium
P.O. Box 357
Gakona, AK 99586
Phone 907-822-5399
Fax 907-822-5810
E-mail ebeeter@tribalnet.org
Web http://www.mstc.org/
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