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Our Communities
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Port Heiden |
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| Current Population: |
108 (2002 est. by State Demographer, DOL/WD)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
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| Borough Located In: |
Lake & Peninsula Borough |
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| School District: |
Lake & Peninsula Schools |
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| Regional Native Corporation: |
Bristol Bay Native Corporation |
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BBEDC Board Representitive: |
Name: Robert Christensen |
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City Contact: |
Phone: (907) 837-2209 |
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Tribal Council Contact: |
Phone: (907) 837-2296 |
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Location:
Port Heiden is 424 miles southwest of Anchorage, at the mouth of the Meshik River on the north side of the Alaska Peninsula. It lies near the Aniakchak National Preserve and Monument. It lies at approximately 56.94839° North Latitude and -158.62902° West Longitude.
(Sec. 27, T037S, R059W, Seward Meridian.)
Port Heiden is located in the Kvichak Recording District.
The area encompasses 50.7 sq. miles of land and 0.7 sq. miles of water.
Port Heiden has a maritime climate, with cool summers, relatively warm winters, and rain. Snowfall averages 58 inches per year. January temperatures average 25 degrees, and July temperatures average 50 degrees.
History:
The old village of Meshik was located at the current site of Port Heiden. Influenza epidemics during the early 1900s forced residents to relocate to other villages. During World War II, Fort Morrow was built nearby, and 5,000 personnel were stationed at the base. The Fort was closed after the war. A school was established in the early 1950s, which attracted people from surrounding villages. Port Heiden incorporated as a city in 1972. The community recently relocated inland because storm waves had eroded much of the old townsite and threatened to destroy community buildings.
Culture:
Port Heiden is a traditional Alutiiq community, with a commercial fishing and subsistence lifestyle.
Economy:
Commercial fishing and government jobs provide the majority of cash income. 17 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Subsistence harvests of salmon, other fish and marine mammals average 109 lbs. per person. Game, birds, plants and berries are also an important part of villagers' diets.
Facilities:
Individual wells and septic tank systems are used by most homes in Port Heiden. The school operates its own well and treatment system. 31 of 37 occupied households are fully plumbed. The City provides septic pumping services, and collects refuse three times a week. The landfill is located 6.5 miles northeast of the community. A feasibility study for sanitation improvements has recently been funded.
Transportation:
A State-owned airport consists of a lighted gravel 6,250' runway and a 4,600' lighted gravel crosswind runway. It can accommodate up to Boeing 737 aircraft, and regular air services are provided. The airstrip serves as a point-of-transfer for flights to the Pacific side of the Peninsula. There is a natural boat harbor, but no dock. A boat haul-out, beach off-loading area, and marine storage facilities are available. Cargo from Seattle is delivered twice yearly by a BIA-chartered barge, and is lightered and offloaded on the beach. Autos, ATVs and snowmachines are the local means of transportation.
Climate:
Port Heiden has a maritime climate, with cool summers, relatively warm winters, and rain. Snowfall averages 58 inches per year. January temperatures average 25 degrees, and July temperatures average 50 degrees.
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