Our Communities

Clarks Point

Current Population:	65 (2002 est. by State Demographer, DOL/WD)
Incorporation Type:	2nd Class City
Borough Located In:	Unorganized
School District:	Southwest Region Schools
Regional Native Corporation:	Bristol Bay Native Corporation
BBEDC Board Representitive:	Name: Esther Floresta
City Contact:	Phone: (907) 236-1221
Tribal Council Contact:	Phone: (907) 236-1427

Location:
Clark's Point is located on a spit on the northeastern shore of Nushagak Bay, 15 miles from Dillingham and 337 miles southwest of Anchorage. It lies at approximately 58.84417° North Latitude and -158.55083° West Longitude. (Sec. 25, T015S, R056W, Seward Meridian.) Clark's Point is located in the Bristol Bay Recording District. The area encompasses 3.1 sq. miles of land and 0.9 sq. miles of water. Clark's Point is located in a climatic transition zone. The primary influence is maritime, although the arctic climate also affects the region. Average summer temperatures range from 37 to 66; average winter temperatures range from 4 to 30. Annual precipitation is 20 to 26 inches, including 82 inches of snow. Fog and low clouds are common during winter months. The Bay is ice-free from June through mid-November.

History:
The point originally had an Eskimo name, "Saguyak," yet there is no evidence of a settlement at the site prior to the Nushagak Packing Company cannery, established in 1888. The community was named for John Clark, who was the manager of the Alaska Commercial Company store at Nushagak. Clark is reputed to have operated a saltery prior to the establishment of the cannery. In 1893 the cannery became a member of the Alaska Packers Association. In 1901 a two-line cannery was built. During World War II the canning operation ceased, and only salting was done at Clark's Point. The plant was shut down permanently by 1952, and the Alaska Packers Association used the facility as the headquarters for its fishing fleet. In 1929, a major flood occurred. The City was incorporated in 1971. The village has been plagued by severe erosion. A housing project in 1982 was constructed on high and safe ground on the bluff.

Culture:
The community was founded on fishing operations of non-Native settlers, although presently it is predominantly Yup'ik Eskimo. The population increases by about 300 in summer months due to the commercial fishery.

Economy:
The economic base in Clark's Point is primarily commercial fishing. Trident Seafoods operates an on-shore facility. Sixteen residents hold commercial fishing permits. Everyone depends on subsistence to some extent, and travel over a great area if necessary. Salmon, smelt, moose, bear, rabbit, ptarmigan, duck and geese are utilized. Exchange relationships exist between nearby communities, for example, whitefish from Ekwok, New Stuyahok and Bethel are traded for smelt, and ling cod from Manokotak are traded for moose.

Facilities:
Spring-fed wells provide water to the community, treated with chlorine and fluoride. Nearly 80% of residents are connected to the piped water system; the remainder use individual wells. Approximately 40% of homes and the school -- those located on the bluff -- are served by a piped gravity sewage system. Residents below the bluff rely on septic tanks or pit privies. In all, 21 homes have piped water and sewer. The clinic and city offices use honeybuckets. Trident Seafoods supplies its own power, and the school has back-up generators.

Transportation:
Air transport is the primary method of reaching Clark's Point. Regular and charter flights are available from Dillingham. There is a State-owned 2,600' gravel runway, and float planes land on Nushagak River. Freight is brought by barge to Dillingham, and then flown or lightered to the community. The only boat moorage is an undeveloped spit dock owned by the City; boats land on the beach. Trident Seafoods owns a private dock for fish processing. ATVs and snowmachines are the primary means of local transportation.

Climate:
Clark's Point is located in a climatic transition zone. The primary influence is maritime, although the arctic climate also affects the region. Average summer temperatures range from 37 to 66; average winter temperatures range from 4 to 30. Annual precipitation is 20 to 26 inches, including 82 inches of snow. Fog and low clouds are common during winter months. The Bay is ice-free from June through mid-November.