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Kobuk
(KOH-buck)
For Photos of Kobuk click here
For a Map of Kobuk click here
| Current Population: |
109
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
|
| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Northwest Arctic Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: None
|
| National Flood Insurance Program Participant: |
Yes |
| Coastal Management District: |
Northwest Arctic Borough |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Kobuk is located on the right bank of the Kobuk River, about 7 miles northeast of Shungnak and 128 air miles northeast of Kotzebue. It is the smallest village in the Northwest Arctic Borough. The community
lies at approximately 66.908570° North Latitude
and -156.881020° West Longitude.
(Sec. 03, T017N, R009E, Kateel River Meridian.)
Kobuk is located in the
Kotzebue Recording District.
The area encompasses 16.1
sq. miles of land and 0.7 sq. miles
of water.
Kobuk is located in the transitional climate zone. Temperatures average -10 to 15 during winter; 40 to 65 during summer. Temperature extremes have been recorded from -68 to 90. Snowfall averages 56 inches, with 17 inches of total precipitation per year. The Kobuk River is navigable from the end of May through October. |
Topographic
map of
Kobuk
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Kobuk was founded in 1899 as a supply point for mining activities in the Cosmos Hills to the north, and was then called Shungnak. A trading post, school, and Friends Mission drew area residents to the settlement. Due to river erosion and flooding, the village was relocated in the 1920s to a new site 10 miles downstream, which was called "Kochuk," now Shungnak. The few who remained at the village renamed it Kobuk. Ice jams on the River cause high water each year. In May 1973, a flood covered the entire village. In October 1973, the City was incorporated.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Kobuk.
The population of the community consists of 93.6%
Alaska Native or part Native.
It is an Inupiat Eskimo village practicing a traditional subsistence lifestyle. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village. High School students attend school in Shungnak.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 45, and vacant housing units numbered 19.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 11.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 29 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
55.38 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $30,750, per capita income was $9,845, and
28.57 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| A piped water and sewer system, provides services to the community. A 30-foot well provides water, which is treated and stored by the washeteria. The washeteria has its own septic tank. Waste is disposed of at Dall Creek. A landfill is also available. Kobuk Valley Electric Co-op purchases power from AVEC over the Kobuk-Shungnak intertie.
Electricity is provided by Kobuk Valley Electric Cooperative (from Shungnak AVEC).
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 37
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Kobuk Clinic (907-948-2218).
Kobuk 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 |
The economy of Kobuk is based on subsistence. Whitefish, caribou and moose provide the majority of meat sources. Cash employment is limited to the school, City and Maniilaq clinic. Seasonal construction and BLM fire fighting provide some income.
Kobuk's major means of transportation are barge, plane, small boat and snowmachine. A State-owned 2,518' long by 58' wide lighted gravel airstrip is served by scheduled air carriers. Float planes land on the Kobuk River. Crowley Marine Services barges fuel and supplies during the spring and fall, when high water stages occur. There is a barge off-loading area. Boats, ATVs and snowmachines are used for local travel. There are many trails along the river for year-round inter-village travel and subsistence activities, including a 7-mile road to Shungnak. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Kobuk
P.O. Box 51020
Kobuk, AK 99751
Phone 907-948-2217
Fax 907-948-2228
Electric Utility -
Kobuk Valley Electric Cooperative
P.O. Box 51020
Kobuk, AK 99751-0020
Phone 907-948-2251
Fax 907-948-2123
Village Council -
Native Village of Kobuk
P.O. Box 51039
Kobuk, AK 99751
Phone 907-948-2203
Fax 907-948-2123
E-mail eking@maniilaq.org
Web http://www.maniilaq.org
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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