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Ambler
(AM-blur)
For Photos of Ambler click here
For a Map of Ambler click here
| Current Population: |
259
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
|
| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Northwest Arctic Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: None
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| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Northwest Arctic Borough |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Ambler is located on the north bank of the Kobuk River, near the confluence of the Ambler and the Kobuk Rivers. It lies 45 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It is 138 miles northeast of Kotzebue, 30 miles northwest of Kobuk, and 30 miles downriver from Shungnak. The community
lies at approximately 67.086110° North Latitude
and -157.851390° West Longitude.
(Sec. 31, T020N, R005E, Kateel River Meridian.)
Ambler is located in the
Kotzebue Recording District.
The area encompasses 9.5
sq. miles of land and 1.3 sq. miles
of water.
Ambler is located in the continental climate zone. Temperatures average -10 to 15 °F during the winter and 40 to 65 °F during the summer. Temperature extremes have been recorded from -65 to 92 °F. Snowfall averages 80 inches, and precipitation averages 16 inches total per year. The Kobuk River is navigable from early July to mid-October. |
Topographic
map of
Ambler
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Ambler is named after Dr. James M. Ambler, a U.S. Navy surgeon on the U.S.S. Jeannette, who perished in 1881 in the Lena River delta while with the Arctic expedition under the command of Lt. Comdr. G.W. DeLong (1879-1880.) Ambler was permanently settled in 1958 when people from Shungnak and Kobuk moved upstream because of the variety of fish, wild game, and spruce trees in the area. An archaeological site is located nearby at Onion Portage. A post office was established in 1963. The city was incorporated in 1971.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Ambler.
The population of the community consists of 86.7%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The residents of Ambler are Kowagniut Inupiat Eskimos, with a traditional subsistence lifestyle. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 98, and vacant housing units numbered 19.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 2.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 75 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
27.88 percent,
although
46.81 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $43,500, per capita income was $13,712, and
14.29 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The main source of water for the community is a 167' well near the Kobuk River. Water is pumped 940 feet to the treatment facility, stored in a 210,000-gallon insulated tank, and then piped to most homes. An 80' standby well is also located at the water treatment plant. Sewage is collected through two lift stations via 6- and 8-inch arctic pipes and flows to a facultative lagoon, where it discharges to a natural watershed and then to the Kobuk River. The landfill is not permitted.
Electricity is provided by AVEC.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 66
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Ambler Health Clinic (907-445-2129).
Ambler Health Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Ambler is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 4A in the Maniilaq Association Region. Emergency Services have river and air access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Cash employment is limited to the school, city, clinic, and local stores, though some mining occurs. One resident holds a commercial fishing permit. Subsistence is a major part of the local economy. Chum salmon and caribou are the most important food sources. Freshwater fish, moose, bear, and berries are also harvested. Birch baskets, fur pelts, and jade, quartz, bone, and ivory carvings created in Ambler are sold in gift shops throughout the state. The community is interested in developing a lapidary facility for local artisans.
Ambler's major means of transportation are by barge, plane, small boat, and snowmachine. There are no roads linking the city to other parts of the state. A state-owned 3,000' long by 60' wide lighted gravel airstrip with a 2,400' long by 60' wide gravel crosswind airstrip is located one and a half miles from the city. Bering Air, Hageland Aviation, Tanana Air Service, and Warbelow's Air Ventures offer passenger flight service. In addition, daily scheduled services are provided out of Kotzebue, and air taxis provide charter flights. Crowley Marine Services barges fuel and supplies to Ambler each summer. Boats are used for inter-village travel and subsistence activities. ATVs and snowmachines are commonly used in winter. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Ambler
P.O. Box 9
Ambler, AK 99786
Phone 907-445-2122
Fax 907-445-2174
E-mail cityofamblerak@yahoo.com
Village Council -
Native Village of Ambler
P.O. Box 47
Ambler, AK 99786
Phone 907-445-2238
Fax 907-445-2257
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Northwest Arctic Borough
P.O. Box 1110
Kotzebue, AK 99752
Phone 907-442-2500
Fax 907-442-2930 & 3740
E-mail hhildreth@nwabor.org or mwhiting@nwabor.org
Web http://www.nwabor.org
Regional Native Corporation - NANA Regional Corporation
P.O. Box 49
Kotzebue, AK 99752
Phone 907-442-3301
Fax 907-442-2866
E-mail info@nana.com
Web http://www.nana.com
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