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Our Communities
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Portage Creek |
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| Current Population: |
48 (2002 est. by State Demographer, DOL/WD)
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| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated |
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| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
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| School District: |
Southwest Region Schools |
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| Regional Native Corporation: |
Bristol Bay Native Corporation |
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BBEDC Board Representitive: |
Name: MaryAnn Johnson |
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City Contact: |
Phone: (907) 842-2564 |
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Tribal Council Contact: |
Phone: (907) 842-5257 |
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Location:
Portage Creek is located at the mouth of Portage Creek, a tributary of the Nushagak River, 29 miles southeast of Dillingham. It lies at approximately 58.90016° North Latitude and -157.66153° West Longitude.
(Sec. 01, T015S, R051W, Seward Meridian.)
Portage Creek is located in the Bristol Bay Recording District.
The area encompasses 13.1 sq. miles of land and 0.0 sq. miles of water.
Portage Creek is located in a climatic transition zone. The primary influence is maritime, although a continental climate affects the weather. Average summer temperatures range from 30 to 66; winter temperatures range from well below zero to 30. Annual precipitation ranges from 20 to 35 inches. Fog and low clouds are common during the summer. The River is ice-free from June through mid-November.
History:
This site was used by the Yup'ik Eskimos as an overnight summer camp. Portage Creek was so named because it was used to portage boats from the Nushagak River to the Kvichak River. In this way, travelers could avoid the open waters of Bristol Bay and the long trip around Etolin Point. The village was permanently settled in 1961 by some families from Koliganek and other villages up the Nushagak River. A BIA school was established in 1963, and during the winter of 1964-65, 11 families lived in Portage Creek. In 1965, the village was served by a local, scheduled air carrier. Through the mid-1980s, Portage Creek was an active community, but the population has since declined.
Culture:
The village is a popular recreational fishing and camping site from May through July, and a hunting location for Yup'ik residents.
Economy:
Everyone depends to some extent on subsistence activities for various food sources. Most families have fish camps at Ekuk or Lewis Point. Salmon, moose, caribou, duck, geese and berries are harvested. An exchange relationship exists between Portage Creek and the coastal communities; walrus, seal and herring roe are sought. The Portage Creek General Store and Lodge operates during the summer months.
Facilities:
There are no central facilities currently in operation. The central well is rusty; most residents haul water from down river. Honeybuckets are used for sewage disposal. Funds have been requested to conduct a sanitation study. There is no functioning electric system. The village wants to renovate the deteriorated electric building and purchase a new generator to restore operations. The landfill is recorded as inactive.
Transportation:
Chartered air transport is most frequently used to reach Portage Creek, and skiffs are used locally. There is a State-owned 1,900' sand-surfaced airstrip, maintained only during summer months, and seaplanes may land on the Nushagak River. Cargo goods are lightered to the beach, since there are no docking facilities. Snowmachines are used for winter travel.
Climate:
Portage Creek is located in a climatic transition zone. The primary influence is maritime, although a continental climate affects the weather. Average summer temperatures range from 30 to 66; winter temperatures range from well below zero to 30. Annual precipitation ranges from 20 to 35 inches. Fog and low clouds are common during the summer. The River is ice-free from June through mid-November.
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