AVEC Facilities
Minto
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Building where power plant is located
Minto is located on the west bank of the Tolovana River, 130 miles northwest of Fairbanks. It lies on an 11-mile spur road off of the Elliott Highway. Minto is in the western-most portion of traditional Tanana Athabascan territory. During the late 1800s, some members of the Minto band traveled to Tanana, Rampart and Fort Yukon to trade furs for manufactured goods, tea and flour. With the discovery of gold north of Fairbanks in 1902, steamboats began to navigate the Tanana River, bringing goods and new residents into the area. Old Minto became a permanent settlement when some members of the Minto band built log cabins there, on the bank of the Tanana River. Other families lived in tents on a seasonal basis. A BIA school was established in 1937, but most families still did not live in Minto year-round until the 1950s. The Minto band was eventually joined by families from Nenana, Toklat, Crossjacket and Chena. The village was relocated to its present location, 40 miles north of the old site, in 1969 due to repeated flooding and erosion. The present site had been used as a fall and winter camp since the early 1900s. New housing and a new school were completed by 1971.
Original tank farm
New engine awaiting installation
View of community in winter
See more images for Minto
Minto Facts
Community Profile
- Current Population: 186
- # of Consumers: 95
- Incorporation Type: Unincorporated
- Federally recognized tribe
- Total Generating Capacity (kW): 573
Community Facilities
- Water derived from wells, treated, and distributed in a heated circulating water line.
- Wastes are piped to a sewage lagoon.
- Some homes are connected to the piped water and sewer system and have complete plumbing
- Other households haul their own water and honeybuckets
- No washeteria available
- One school
- Gravel airstrip
- Accessible by the Elliott Highway, a 118-mile drive to Fairbanks
- No barge service available because water too shallow
- Local health clinic
- Hospitals in Fairbanks
- Emergency Services have highway and air access
Economy
Most of the year-round employment is with the school, lodge, clinic or village council. Many residents work during summers fire fighting for the BLM. Some residents trap or work in the arts and crafts center, making birch-bark baskets and beaded skin and fur items. Subsistence is an important part of the local economy. Most families travel to fish camp each summer. Minto Flats is one of the most popular duck hunting spots in Alaska. Salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, small game, waterfowl and berries are utilized.
Culture and Activities
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Minto. Minto residents are mainly Tanana Athabascans. Several families have seasonal fishing/hunting camps and trapping areas on the Tanana River and Goldstream Creek. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village. The Tolovana River allows boat access to the Tanana and Nenana Rivers, but no barge service is available because it is too shallow. Trucks, cars, snowmachines, ATVs and riverboats are used for transportation, recreation and subsistence purposes.
Climate
- Climate is cold and continental with extreme temperature differences
- Average daily maximum during July is in the low 70s
- Average daily minimum during January is well below zero
- Extended periods of -40 degrees, and very strong wind chill factors, are common during the winter.
- Precipitation averages 12 in/yr
- Snowfall averages 50 in/yr
Community Weather
Broken clouds, 50°F
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