AVEC Facilities: Selawik

AVEC Facilities

Selawik

(SELL-uh-wick)

Selawik is located at the mouth of the Selawik River where it empties into Selawik Lake, about 90 miles east of Kotzebue. It lies 670 miles northwest of Anchorage. The City is near the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, a key breeding and resting spot for migratory waterfowl. Lt. L.A. Zagoskin of the Imperial Russian Navy first reported the village in the 1840s as "Chilivik." Ivan Petroff counted 100 "Selawigamute" people in his 1880 census. Selawik is an Eskimo name for a species of fish. Around 1908, the site had a small wooden schoolhouse and church. The village has continued to grow and has expanded across the Selawik River onto three banks, linked by bridges. Selawik incorporated as a First Class City in 1974, but in 1977, changed to a Second Class City government. Thanks to funding assistance received from the Denali Commission, Selawik has a state-of-the-art, automated power plant, elevated bulk fuel tank farm and four 65-kW Atlantic Orient Corporation wind turbines. Photos of before and after views of the power plant and tank farm are below.

New automated power plant with fuel-efficient engines,
elevated bulk fuel tank farm and four wind turbines
Original power plant

Original tank farm and power plant

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Selawik Facts

Community Profile

Current Population: 841
# of Consumers: 241
Incorporation Type: 2nd Class City
Total Generating Capacity (kw): 1,647

Community Facilities

Circulating water and vacuum sewer system. A central treatment facility pumps water from the Selawik River. Some have been plumbed and connected.
Automated power plant, elevated bulk-fuel tank farm and four wind turbines
City and state gravel runways with crosswind strip
Docking facilities and barge landing area
Boardwalks within the village
One school
Local health clinic
Emergency Services have lake and air access.

Economy

Inhabitants of Selawik subsist mainly on whitefish, sheefish, caribou, moose, ducks, ptarmigan and berries. Occasionally, bartered seal and beluga whale supplement the diet. The primary employers in the community include the school, the City, the IRA, Maniilaq and three grocery stores. Handicrafts are made and sold locally and at gift shops in larger cities. Seasonal work is also found outside of Selawik at the Red Dog Mine, BLM firefighting or in lighterage operations. Three residents hold commercial fishing permits.

Culture and Activities

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Selawik. Selawik is an Inupiat Eskimo community active in traditional subsistence fishing and hunting. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village. Boats, ATVs and snowmachines are prevalent forms of local travel.

Climate

Transitional climate
Temperatures average -10 to 15 during winter; 40 to 65 during summer
Temperature extremes have been recorded from -50 to 83
Snowfall averages 35 to 40 in/yr
Precipitation averages 10 in/yr
The Selawik River is navigable from early June to mid-October.

Community Weather

clear below 12,000 ft Clear, 50°F

Alaska Village Electric Cooperative

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