Our Communities

Egegik

Current Population:	88 (2002 est. by State Demographer, DOL/WD)
Incorporation Type:	2nd Class City
Borough Located In:	Lake & Peninsula Borough
School District:	Lake & Peninsula Schools
Regional Native Corporation:	Bristol Bay Native Corporation
BBEDC Board Representitive:	Name: Hazel Nelson
City Contact:	Phone: (907) 233-2400
Tribal Council Contact:	Phone: (907) 233-2211

Location:
Egegik is located on the south bank of the Egegik River on the Alaska Peninsula, 100 miles southwest of Dillingham and 326 air miles southwest of Anchorage. It lies at approximately 58.21556° North Latitude and -157.37583° West Longitude. (Sec. 01, T023S, R050W, Seward Meridian.) Egegik is located in the Kvichak Recording District. The area encompasses 32.8 sq. miles of land and 101.2 sq. miles of water. Egegik's predominantly maritime climate is characterized by cool, humid and windy weather. Summer temperatures range from 44 to 65; winter temperatures range from -24 to 40. Annual precipitation is 20 to 26 inches, with 45 inches of snow.

History:
According to anthropologists, settlement of the Bristol Bay region first occurred over 6,000 years ago. Yup'ik Eskimos and Athabascan Indians jointly occupied the area. Aleuts arrived in later years. The first recorded contact by non-Natives was with Russian fur traders between 1818 and 1867. The village was reported by Russians as a fish camp called "Igagik" (meaning "throat") in 1876. Local people would travel each year from Kanatak on the Gulf coast through a portage pass to Becharof Lake, and hiked or kayaked on to the Egegik Bay area for summer fish camp. In 1895, an Alaska Packers Association salmon saltery was established at the mouth of Egegik River, and a town developed around the former fish camp. During the influenza outbreaks beginning in 1918, Natives from other villages moved to Egegik in an attempt to isolate themselves from the disease. During World War II, men from Egegik were enlisted to help build the King Salmon airport, with many subsequently serving in Dutch Harbor and elsewhere. Egegik later grew into a major salmon production port. Egegik incorporated as a second-class city in 1995.

Culture:
Egegik has a strong year-round Alutiiq culture. Residents are active in local and state government and affect a team approach.

Economy:
The economy is based on subsistence harvest, commercial fishing and fish processing. During the commercial fishing season, the population swells by 1,000 to 2,000 fishermen and cannery workers. 45 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Five on-shore processors are located on the Egegik River, three on the north shore and two on the south shore, including Woodbine Alaska Fish Co., Big Creek Fish Co., Clark Fish Co. and Alaska General Seafoods. Numerous floating processors participate in the Egegik fishery. Subsistence hunting and fishing activities are an important part of the lifestyle and local diet. Seal, beluga, salmon, trout, smelt, grayling, clams, moose, bear, caribou, porcupine, waterfowl and ptarmigan are utilized. Locals also gather berries and wild greens each season.

Facilities:
Egegik's water is supplied by two wells and is treated with fluoride. Four tanks are used, with a total water storage capacity of 122,500 gallons. Approximately half of all homes are plumbed. Eleven homes, the school, clinic and City offices, are connected to a piped water and sewer system constructed in 1989. An additional 13 homes are connected only to the piped sewage system. 19 residents use honeybuckets, 10 residents use septic tanks or seepage pits, and sewage pumping services are available. Funds have been provided to expand piped water and sewer to 17 residences. The canneries derive water from School Lake and Grandma's Lake. A new 7-acre landfill was recently completed, with a batch oxidation incinerator.

Transportation:
The community is accessible by air and water. A new City-owned 5,600' lighted gravel runway with crosswind airstrip is located 2 miles northwest of Egegik. Scheduled and charter flights are available. The Bartletts also maintain a private 2,800' airstrip across from Coffee Point. A new public dock was recently completed; the boat harbor accomodates up to 150 vessels. A boat haul-out is available. Two privately-owned docks and marine storage are also available. Barge services are provided from Anchorage and Seattle. Skiffs, ATVs and snowmachines are the primary means of local transportation.

Climate:
Egegik's predominantly maritime climate is characterized by cool, humid and windy weather. Summer temperatures range from 44 to 65; winter temperatures range from -24 to 40. Annual precipitation is 20 to 26 inches, with 45 inches of snow.