Alaska Village Electric Cooperative

Noatak Facts

Community Profile

• Current Population: 470
• # of Consumers:  138
• Incorporation Type: Unincorporated
• Federally recognized tribe
• Total Generating Capacity (kW):  1,210

Community Facilities

• Water derived from the Noatak River and treated
• A piped, recirculating water and sewer distribution system serves 77 homes, the school and businesses in Noatak. However, over half of the homes cannot use the service due to lack of plumbing and haul water and honeybuckets.
• No washeteria
• Landfill
• Gravel runway; six regional air services provide cargo, mail and passenger services
• No barge service
• One school
• Local health clinic
• Emergency Services have river and air access

Economy

Noatak's economy is principally based on subsistence, although the available employment is diverse. The school district, City, Maniilaq and retail stores are the primary employers. Seven residents hold commercial fishing permits. During the summer, many families travel to seasonal fish camps at Sheshalik, and others find seasonal work in Kotzebue or fire-fighting. Chum salmon, whitefish, caribou, moose and waterfowl are harvested.

Culture and Activities

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Noatak Village Council. The population of the community consists of 96% Alaska Native or part Native.The village is Inupiat Eskimo. Subsistence activities are the central focus of the culture, and families travel to fish camps during the summer. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village. Small boats, ATVs and snowmachines are used extensively for local transportation. Many historic trails along the Noatak River are important today for inter-village travel and subsistence uses.

Climate

• Transitional climate zone
• Temperatures average -21 to 15 during winter
• Summer temperatures aver 40 to 60
• Temperature extremes have been recorded from -59 to 75.
• Snowfall averages 48"/yr
• Total precipitation averages 10 to 13"/year.
• The Noatak River is navigable by shallow-draft boats from early June to early October.

Community Weather

   Clear, 45°F