Alaska Village Electric Cooperative

A non-profit electric utility with the largest service area in the World.

AVEC Facilities

Hooper Bay

(HOO-pur); a.k.a. Naparyarmiut

< PREVIOUS   |   ↑ BACK TO MAP ↑   |   NEXT >

Hooper Bay is located 20 miles south of Cape Romanzof, 25 miles south of Scammon Bay in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The city is separated into two sections: a heavily built-up townsite located on gently rolling hills, and a newer section in the lowlands. Hooper Bay is located 500 miles west of Anchorage. "Askinuk" or "Askinaghamiut" are the early Eskimo names for Hooper Bay. The village was first reported in 1878 by E.W. Nelson of the U.S. Signal Service. The 1890 Census found 138 persons living in 14 homes. The name Hooper Bay came into common usage after a post office with this name was established in 1934. The present-day Eskimo name "Naparyarmiut" means "stake village people." The City government was incorporated in 1966. In summer 2008 three wind turbines were erected. They should be operational sometime in 2009.


Original power plant

Original tank farm

Bad fire in community in 2006

See more images for Hooper Bay

< PREVIOUS   |   ↑ BACK TO MAP ↑   |   NEXT >

Hooper Bay Facts

Community Profile

Community Facilities

Economy

Most employment is seasonal with little income-producing activity during the winter. 47 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Coastal Villages Seafood, Inc. processes halibut and salmon in Hooper Bay. BLM fire fighting offers some employment, and grass baskets and ivory handicrafts are produced. The community is interested in developing the Naparyarmiut Arts & Crafts Cooperative. Income is supplemented by subsistence activities. Salmon, walrus, beluga whale and waterfowl are harvested. The school employs 27 certified staff members and 23 classified staff members. The Sea Lion Corporation operates an e-commerce building in the community which provides dial-up internet service. Hooper Bay is included in the Coastal Villages Region Fund Community Development Quota (CDQ). The CDQ’s goal is promote fisheries related economic development in western Alaska. There are plans to construct a Fisheries Support Center to provide boat storage and a place to sell fishing related goods. Hooper Bay is included in the Lower Kuskokwim Economic Development Council. Local stores account for approximately 20 full and part-time jobs.

Culture and Activities

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Hooper Bay. The population of the community consists of 95.8% Alaska Native or part Native. Hooper Bay is a large traditional Yu'pik Eskimo community. Commercial fishing and subsistence activities are the primary means of support. Members of the Village of Paimiut also live in Hooper Bay. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village. A 1,352 square foot Youth and Elder Cultural Center was recently built and provides an area for teaching crafts and marketing, gatherings, and language. Residents of Hooper Bay rely on air and water transportation. Snow machines and four-wheelers are primary methods of transportation within the community and to nearby villages. Skiffs are used during summer for local transportation. Winter trails exist to Scammon Bay (32 mi.), Chevak (20 mi.) and Paimiut (14 mi.).

Climate

Community Weather

overcast   Overcast, 48°F

AVEC 4831 Eagle Street Anchorage Alaska 99503 (907) 561-1818 Copyright © All content property of Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inc. All Rights Reserved.