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Skwentna
(SKWENT-nuh)
For Photos of Skwentna click here
| Current Population: |
80
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: 9.98 mills (Borough), Special: 5% Bed Tax (Borough); 5.29% Tobacco Excise Tax (Borough)
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| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Matanuska-Susitna Borough |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Skwentna lies on the south bank of the Skwentna River at its junction with Eight Mile Creek, 70 air miles northwest of Anchorage in the Mat-Su Borough. It lies in the Yentna River valley. The community
lies at approximately 61.958610° North Latitude
and -151.181110° West Longitude.
(Sec. 29, T022N, R010W, Seward Meridian.)
Skwentna is located in the
Anchorage Recording District.
January temperatures range from -30 to 33; July can vary from 42 to 83. Annual precipitation averages 28 inches, including 70 inches of snowfall. |
Topographic
map of
Skwentna
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Dena'ina Athabascans have fished and hunted along the Skwentna and Yentna Rivers for centuries. In 1908, an Alaska Road Commission crew blazed a trail from Seward to Nome, going through Old Skwentna from the Susitna River to Rainy Pass. Many roadhouses were later constructed along the trail to the Innoko Mining District, including the Old Skwentna Roadhouse. Prospectors, trappers and Indians often used sled dogs to transport goods over the trail. Max and Belle Shellabarger homesteaded and started a guide service in 1923, and later a flying service and weather station. A post office was opened in 1937. After World War II, Morrison-Knudson built an airstrip, and in 1950, the U.S. Army established a radar station at Skwentna and a recreation camp at Shell Lake, 15 air miles from Skwentna. In the 1960s, State land disposals increased settlement.
The population of the community consists of 7.2%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Skwentna residents are scattered over a large area of land. It has a number of seasonal-use homes. There is a small local store, and area residents use snowmachines or aircraft to travel to the post office.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 360, and vacant housing units numbered 310.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 307.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 59 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
26.25 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $16,250, per capita income was $23,995, and
5.77 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| A number of homes have individual water wells and septic systems, but very few homes are fully plumbed. Outhouses are the primary means of sewage disposal. There is no central electric system, residents provide power via individual generator sets. A community refuse incinerator is available at the unpermitted dump site near the airport, operated by the Borough. The site is currently being used by several families, but most residents burn and bury their own refuse.
Electricity is provided by Individual Generators.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Valley Hospital (352-2860) in Palmer.
Skwentna is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2C in the Mat-Su Region. Emergency Services have highway and river access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers
Auxiliary health care is provided by Lake Creek/Skwentna First Responders (373-8800/745-4811).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Employment is provided through local lodges, the post office and the airstrip.
There is no road access from the George Parks Highway -- residents are dependent upon air travel and snowmachines. A State-owned 3,400' long by 75' widegravel airstrip is available. A private airstrip and float plane access are located at Alexander Lake. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Skwentna Community Council
P.O. Box 24
Skwentna, AK 99667-0024
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Matanuska-Susitna Borough
350 East Dahlia Avenue
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone 907-745-4801
Fax 907-745-9845
E-mail john.duffy@matsugov.us; lonnie.mckechnie@matsugov.us
Web http://www.matsugov.us/
Regional Native Health Corporation - Southcentral Foundation
4501 Diplomacy
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone 907-729-4955
Fax 907-729-4972
E-mail katherineg@scf.cc
Web http://www.southcentralfoundation.com
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