Page Contents for Allakaket, Alaska

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Economy

Government

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Alaska state capital is Juneau.
The population of Allakaket is approximately 97 (2000), 105 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 59 (2000), 44 (2010).
The amount of land area in Allakaket is 11.363 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 1.861 sq kilometers.
The distance from Allakaket to Washington DC is 3773 miles.
The distance to the Alaska state capital is 855 miles. (as the crow flies)
Allakaket is positioned 66.54 degrees north of the equator and 152.73 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Allakaket average annual snowfall is 72 inches per year.

Location

about 190 air miles northwest of Fairbanks and 57 miles upriver from Hughes. Alatna is a village located within the city boundaries of Allakaket but across the river. The city is on the south bank of the Koyukuk River near its confluence with the Alatna River
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Climate

cold and continental. The seasonal temperatures vary greatly with average highs in summer of 70 and average lows in winter of well below 0. Temperatures of -40 are not uncommon during winter months. The record low temperature here is -75 degrees. The Koyukuk River is generally frozen over from November through May.
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History & History Related Items

Allakaket is a traditional native area for several groups, including the Koyukon Athabascans and the Kobuk, Selawik and Nunamiut Eskimos. The groups made several settlements in the area after the mid-1800's. The original site for the village of Alatna was a trading center for the local natives. St. John's-in-the-Wilderness Episcopal Mission was begun here in 1906. The name of the community was changed to Allakaket in 1938. This was the old name for the Episcopal Mission. Alatna was then used by the Eskimo Natives on the other side of the river. In 1964, a large flood from ice jamming innundated nearly all the community, but the resilient people recovered quickly. Incorporation occurred in 1975 including both Allakaket and Alatna. The new city was prospering when another flood struck in 1994. Because the event occurred in September and washed away housing as well as food stores for winter, the people had to go to other villages for the season. When re-building, the city was moved away from the original site, but still nearby. Re-building still is ongoing.
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Attractions

Allakaket has many forms of local crafts that are available. Local crafts include beaded slippers, gloves, moccasins, barrettes, sun-catchers, and more. Visitors come to view and participate in traditional potlatches, dances and foot races.

Tribal land in and around the community is approximately 1200 acres. The traditional lifestlye of the Athabascan people in Allakaket is still evident in the subsistence activities that occur almost daily. Our goal is to reach back to our ancestors for guidance while striving to survive in an everchanging world.

There is no road access to Allakaket. The city is accessible through the lighted 3,500 foot runway. It is available year-round. No roads link Allakaket to other areas, but many winter trails exist to neary towns and areas. The river provides transportation in summer months only, though due to the shallow water, large boats are not able to come to the area.
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Economy & Industry

subsistence. Most of the food sources are from local wildlife including moose, bear, small game, salmon and whitefish. Caribou are sometimes available. Most employment is through the school or government offices. Jobs are mainly seasonal. Some income comes from trapping or selling the traditional handicrafts.
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Allakaket City Government

Allakaket is mainly an Athabascan community; Kobuk Eskimos live across the river in Alatna. Two separate village councils exist. Allakaket

Miscellany

The population of Allakaket was:
1990 - 170
2000 - 97
The Allakaket area (city and unincorporated area) has a population of about 190 in 2002.