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Portage Creek
a.k.a. Ohgsenakale
For a Map of Portage Creek click here
| Current Population: |
7
(2008 Estimated Population (not Certified))
|
| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
No taxing authority
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| Coastal Management District: |
Bristol Bay Borough |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Portage Creek is located at the mouth of Portage Creek, a tributary of the Nushagak River, 29 miles southeast of Dillingham. The community
lies at approximately 58.900160° North Latitude
and -157.661530° West Longitude.
(Sec. 01, T015S, R051W, Seward Meridian.)
Portage Creek is located in the
Bristol Bay Recording District.
Portage Creek is located in a climatic transition zone. The primary influence is maritime, although a continental climate affects the weather. Average summer temperatures range from 30 to 66; winter temperatures range from well below zero to 30. Annual precipitation ranges from 20 to 35 inches. Fog and low clouds are common during the summer. The River is ice-free from June through mid-November. |
Topographic
map of
Portage Creek
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| This site was used by the Yup'ik Eskimos as an overnight summer camp. Portage Creek was so named because it was used to portage boats from the Nushagak River to the Kvichak River. In this way, travelers could avoid the open waters of Bristol Bay and the long trip around Etolin Point. The village was permanently settled in 1961 by some families from Koliganek and other villages up the Nushagak River. A BIA school was established in 1963, and during the winter of 1964-65, 11 families lived in Portage Creek. In 1965, the village was served by a local, scheduled air carrier. Through the mid-1980s, Portage Creek was an active community, but the population has since declined.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Portage Creek Village (aka Ohgsenakale).
The population of the community consists of 86.1%
Alaska Native or part Native.
The village is a popular recreational fishing and camping site from May through July, and a hunting location for Yup'ik residents.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 22, and vacant housing units numbered 15.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 8.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 2 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
0 percent,
although
50 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $41,250, per capita income was $8,010, and
0 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| There are no central facilities currently in operation. The central well is rusty; most residents haul water from down river. Honeybuckets are used for sewage disposal. There is no functioning electric system. The landfill is recorded as inactive.
Electricity is provided by Individual Generators.
There are no state operated schools located in the community.
Auxiliary health care is provided by flight to Dillingham.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Everyone depends to some extent on subsistence activities for various food sources. Most families have fish camps at Ekuk or Lewis Point. Salmon, moose, caribou, duck, geese and berries are harvested. An exchange relationship exists between Portage Creek and the coastal communities; walrus, seal and herring roe are sought. The Portage Creek General Store and Lodge operates during the summer months.
Chartered air transport is most frequently used to reach Portage Creek, and skiffs are used locally. There is a State-owned 1,470' long by 60' wide gravel airstrip, maintained only during summer months, and seaplanes may land on the Nushagak River. Cargo goods are lightered to the beach, since there are no docking facilities. Snowmachines are used for winter travel. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
Community Non-Profit -
Portage Creek Association
C/O Choggiung P.O. Box 330
Portage Creek, AK 99576
Phone 907-842-5218
Fax 907-842-5462
Village Council -
Portage Creek Village (aka: Ohgsenakale)
1327 E. 72nd, Unit B
Anchorage, AK 99518
Phone 907-277-1105
Fax 907-277-1104
E-mail ciugtaq@yahoo.com
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
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