Alaska Village Electric Cooperative

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

AVEC Facilities

Chevak

(CHEE-vack); a.k.a. Kashunamiut

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The new power plant and tank farm

Chevak is located on the north bank of the Niglikfak River, 17 miles east of Hooper Bay in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.  Eskimos have inhabited the region for thousands of years. Chevak is also known as New Chevak because residents inhabited another village called Chevak before 1950. "Old" Chevak, on the north bank of the Keoklevik River, 9 miles east of Hooper Bay, was abandoned because of flooding from high storm tides. The name Chevak refers to "a connecting slough," on which "Old" Chevak was situated. The new site was first reported by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1948. A post office was established in 1951. The City government was incorporated in 1967. 

Work is nearly completed on some new power generation facilities, including a new, fully automated, fuel-efficient, modular style, diesel power plant, a new bulk fuel tank farm (for AVEC) and four new wind turbines that should be operational in December 2009. A community tank farm should be completed by September 2010.

The four new wind turbines

The old power plant

 

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Chevak Facts

Community Profile

Community Facilities

Economy

Employment in Chevak is at its peak in the summer months and declines to a few full-time positions during winter. Construction projects and BLM fire fighting provide summer employment. Eighteen residents hold commercial fishing permits. Incomes are supplemented by subsistence activities and handicrafts. Salmon, seal, walrus, clams and waterfowl are harvested.

Culture and Activities

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Chevak Tribal Council (a.k.a. Kashunamiut). The population of the community consists of 95.9% Alaska Native or part Native.  Chevak is a Cup'ik Eskimo village. Commercial fishing and subsistence activities are an important part of the local culture. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.

Skiffs are used for local travel on the river in the summer, and snowmachines are used in the winter. Winter trails exist to Scammon Bay (25 mi.), Hooper Bay (20 mi.) and Newtok (50 mi.)

Climate

Community Weather

broken clouds   Broken clouds, 48°F

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