Alaska Village Electric Cooperative

Kotlik Facts

Community Profile

• Current Population: 600
• Incorporation Type: 2nd Class City
• Borough Located In: Unorganized

Community Facilities

• Piped vacuum sewer and circulating water utilidor under construction
• Some households and facilities away from the city core area are not yet served; these residents haul treated water from the washeteria, collect rainwater or melt ice, and haul honeybuckets to containers.
• The City is considering an incinerator and recycling to reduce the quantity of solid waste. The existing landfill is being closed.
• Electricity is provided by AVEC
• Gravel airstrip
• No road access; easily accessible by barge
• One school
• Local health clinic
• Regional clinic in Emmonak. 
• Classified as an isolated village
• Emergency Services have coastal and air access.
• Emergency service is provided by a health aide  

Economy

Kotlik has a seasonal economy. Fishing and fish processing are the primary income generators. 79 residents hold commercial fishing permits. The community is interested in developing a local seafood processing facility, and an arts and crafts project. Kotlik's residents rely heavily on subsistence foods, and many families have fish camps on the Yukon River. Salmon, moose, beluga whale and seal are harvested. Income is also derived from trapping. The river is used by the 50 or so commercial and private boats owned by residents.

Culture and Activities

Culture and activities

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Village of Kotlik. The population of the community consists of 96.1% Alaska Native or part Native. It is a Yup'ik Eskimo village practicing a fishing, trapping and subsistence lifestyle. Residents of Hamilton, a nearby summer fish camp, also live in Kotlik. The sale, importation or possession of alcohol is banned in the village.

Climate

• Subarctic climate
• Temperatures range between -50 and 87
• Snowfall averages 60 in/yr
• Precipitation averages 16 in/yr
• High winds and poor visibility are common during fall and winter
• Norton Sound and the Yukon are ice-free from mid-June through October

Community Weather

   Few clouds, 48°F