Alatna, Alaska
Alatna, Alaska
Alaasuq | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 02-01305 | |
Alatna
Geography
Alatna is at 66°34′01″N 152°39′59″W / 66.56694°N 152.66639°W (66.548906, -152.844806)
Alatna is on the north bank of the Koyukuk River, southwest of its junction with the Alatna River, approximately 190 miles (310 km) northwest of Fairbanks and 57 miles (92 km) upriver from Hughes. Alatna lies just west of the municipal boundaries of the city of Allakaket.
The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. The average high temperature during July is 70 °F (21 °C). The average low during January is well below 0 °F (-18 °C), and extended periods of -40 °F/C are common. The highest temperature ever recorded was 94 °F (34 °C); the lowest, -75 °F (-59 °C). Average annual precipitation is 13 inches (33 cm) and average annual snowfall is 72 inches (183 cm). The Koyukuk River is ice-free from June through October.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has an area of 36.5 square miles (95 km2), all of it land.
Climate
Climate data for Alatna | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | −9 (−23) |
0 (−18) |
14 (−10) |
32 (0) |
51 (11) |
68 (20) |
69 (21) |
64 (18) |
50 (10) |
30 (−1) |
5 (−15) |
5 (−15) |
32 (0) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | −31 (−35) |
−25 (−32) |
−18 (−28) |
3 (−16) |
30 (−1) |
41 (5) |
44 (7) |
39 (4) |
30 (−1) |
12 (−11) |
−14 (−26) |
−27 (−33) |
7 (−14) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.8 (20) |
0.7 (18) |
0.7 (18) |
0.4 (10) |
0.6 (15) |
1.3 (33) |
2.0 (51) |
2.2 (56) |
1.5 (38) |
1.2 (30) |
0.9 (23) |
0.8 (20) |
13.1 (330) |
Source: Weatherbase [4] |
History and culture
Several
A federally recognized Alaskan village is in the community—the Alatna Village. The population of the community consists of 97.1% Alaska Native or part Native. The Alatna population consists largely of descendants of Kobuk Eskimos; Athabascans predominantly live in Allakaket. Subsistence activities are prevalent.
Demographics
Old Alatna (1920-1994)
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1920 | 32 | — | |
1930 | 131 | 309.4% | |
1940 | 28 | −78.6% | |
1950 | 31 | 10.7% | |
1980 | 30 | — | |
1990 | 31 | 3.3% | |
2020 | 15 | — | |
U.S. Decennial Census[5] |
The "original" Alatna first appeared as an unincorporated village on the 1920 census.[6] At the time, it was located directly on the (north) west bank of the Yukon at 66°33′44″N 152°40′20″W / 66.56222°N 152.67222°W,[7] a 1/2 mile west across the river from neighboring village Allakaket. The population returns for 1930 combined Alatna and neighboring Allakaket, as the latter did not report a separate total.[8] In 1940[9] and 1950,[10] the population was exclusively for Alatna. It did not appear on the 1960[11] or 1970[12] census rolls. Allakaket incorporated in 1975 and included the village of Alatna within its boundaries[13] on the 1980 census.[14] Alatna, however, was designated as an ANVSA (Alaskan Native Village Statistical Area) on the 1980 census (within the city of Allakaket), with 30 residents (29 of which were Native American). It appeared again in 1990 as a native village (ANVSA), again within Allakaket.[15] In 1994, flooding of the Yukon River forced residents to relocate to higher ground a mile to the west, leaving the city limits of Allakaket.[16]
(New) Alatna CDP (1994-)
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | 35 | — | |
2010 | 37 | 5.7% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[5] |
The post-1994 flood "New" Alatna village, located just outside of the boundaries of the city of Allakaket, was recognized and classified as a census designated place (CDP) in 2000.[17]
At the 2000
There were 12 households, of which 50.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 16.7% were married couples living together, 25.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.43.
37.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.
The
Public services
Alatna residents haul water and use honeybuckets or outhouses. None of the 12 occupied homes have plumbing. Major improvements are underway. A new water source, water treatment plant, washeteria and sewage lagoon have been built. There is an electrical intertie with Allakaket. Residents use the Allakaket clinic, washeteria, landfill and school. Electricity is provided by the Alaska Power and Telephone Company. There are no state operated schools in the community. Local hospitals or health clinics include Alatna Clinic (907-968-2314). Alatna Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility.
Economy and transportation
The economy is seasonal and subsistence-based. Salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, small game and berries provide most food sources. Caribou are taken when available. A few earn income from trapping or traditional Native handicrafts. Construction and BLM emergency firefighting also provide summer jobs.
Alatna has no road link, but winter trails connect it with Hughes, Bettles and Tanana. River transportation is important during the summer. A state-owned 3,500' lighted runway is accessible year-round in Allakaket. There is no barge service due to shallow water.
References
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
- ^ "Alatna ZIP Code". zipdatamaps.com. 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Alatna, Alaska". Weatherbase. 2011. Retrieved on November 24, 2011.
- ^ a b "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
- ^ "Population" (PDF). 2.census.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Google Maps". Google.com.
- ^ "Alaska" (PDF). 2.census.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Alaska : 1940 Census" (PDF). 2.census.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Number of Inhabitants : Alaska : 1950 Census" (PDF). 2.census.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Number of Inhabitants : Alaska : 1960 Census" (PDF). 2.census.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Number of Inhabitants : Alaska : 1970 Census" (PDF). 2.census.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "Allakaket · Alaska, USA". Google.com.
- ^ "Number of Inhabitants : Alaska : 1970 Census" (PDF). 2.census.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ "1990 Census of Population and Housing - Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics - Alaska" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ^ "Alatna · Alaska". Google.com. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
- ^ U.S. Census Bureau. "2000 Census of Population and Housing - Alaska" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 18, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
External links
- Alatna Archived December 25, 2016, at the Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs
- Maps from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development: 2000, 2010
- Community website