Our Communities

Naknek

Current Population:	642 (2002 est. by State Demographer, DOL/WD)
Incorporation Type:	Unincorporated
Borough Located In:	Bristol Bay Borough
School District:	Bristol Bay Borough Schools
Regional Native Corporation:	Bristol Bay Native Corporation
BBEDC Board Representitive:	Name: Steven Angasan
City Contact:	Phone: (907) 246-4210
Tribal Council Contact:	Phone: (907) 246-4210

Location:
Naknek is located on the north bank of the Naknek River, at the northeastern end of Bristol Bay. It is 297 miles southwest of Anchorage. It lies at approximately 58.72833° North Latitude and -157.01389° West Longitude. (Sec. 03, T017S, R047W, Seward Meridian.) Naknek is located in the Kvichak Recording District. The area encompasses 84.2 sq. miles of land and 0.7 sq. miles of water. The climate is mainly maritime, characterized by cool, humid, and windy weather. Average summer temperatures range from 42 to 63; average winter temperatures range from 29 to 44. Extremes from -46 to 88 have been recorded. Total precipitation is 20 inches annually, including 45 inches of snowfall. Fog is common during summer months.

History:
This region was first settled over 6,000 years ago by Yup'ik Eskimos and Athabascan Indians. In 1821, the original Eskimo village of "Naugeik" was noted by Capt. Lt. Vasiliev. By 1880, the village was called Kinuyak. It was later spelled Naknek by the Russian Navy. The Russians built a fort near the village and fur trappers inhabited the area for some time prior to the U.S. purchase of Alaska. The first salmon cannery opened on the Naknek River in 1890. By 1900, there were approximately 12 canneries in Bristol Bay. The Homestead Act enabled canneries to acquire land for their plants, and also made land available to other institutions and individuals. The parcel owned by the Russian Orthodox Church on the north bank of the River was the first land recorded in Naknek. Squatters built shelters on the church property and were eventually sold lots in what became the center of Naknek. A post office was established in 1907. Naknek has developed over the years as a major fishery center.

Culture:
Naknek is a fishing community, with a mixed population of non-Natives, Yup'ik Eskimos, Alutiiq and Athabascans.

Economy:
The economy is based on government employment, salmon fishing and processing. Naknek has a seasonal economy as a service center for the huge red salmon fishery in Bristol Bay. 115 residents hold commercial fishing permits, and several thousand people typically flood the area during the fishing season. Millions of pounds of salmon are trucked over Naknek-King Salmon road each summer, where jets transport the fish to the lower 48. Trident Seafoods, North Pacific Processors, Ocean Beauty and other fish processors operate facilities in Naknek. Naknek is also the seat of the Bristol Bay Borough.

Facilities:
The majority of households, the schools and HUD housing have individual wells. Almost all homes are fully plumbed. A piped sewage collection system operated by the Borough serves most residents; some have individual septic tanks. Funds have been requested to replace septic tanks in the Airplane Lake area with piped sewer. The landfill and balefill are operated by the Borough, located at mile 5 between Naknek and King Salmon. Refuse collection is provided by a private firm.

Transportation:
Naknek is accessible by air and sea, and connects to King Salmon via a 15.5-mile road. The Tibbetts Airport has a lighted 1,950' gravel runway. The State-owned Naknek Airport is located one mile north of Naknek. It has a 1,950' lighted gravel runway and a 2,000' float plane landing area. Jet services are available at King Salmon. The Borough operates the cargo dock at Naknek, which is the Port of Bristol Bay. It has 800' of berthing space, a concrete surface and a couple of cranes. No commercial docking facilities are available at the canneries, although the development of a Fishermen's Dock, Freight dock and Industrial Park are regional priorities. Pickup trucks and cars are common, and taxis are available.

Climate:
The climate is mainly maritime, characterized by cool, humid, and windy weather. Average summer temperatures range from 42 to 63; average winter temperatures range from 29 to 44. Extremes from -46 to 88 have been recorded. Total precipitation is 20 inches annually, including 45 inches of snowfall. Fog is common during summer months.