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Community Type: 2nd Class City
- Current
Population: 784
- Borough
Name: Unorganized
- Regional
Native Corporation: Calista Corporation
- REAA/School
District: Lower Yukon Schools
- Latitude:
62° 47' N
- Longitude:
164° 32' W
- See Map
of the region
- Land Area:
6.20
- Water
Area: 0.80
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| Location:
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Emmonak is located at the mouth of the Yukon River, 10 miles
from the Bering Sea, on the north bank of Kwiguk Pass. It lies
120 air miles northwest of Bethel and 490 air miles from Anchorage,
in the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge.
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| History:
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Villagers call themselves "Kuigpagmuit," or "people
from the Yukon River." The original settlement was 1.4 miles
south of its present location - residents were forced to move
because of flooding.
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| Culture:
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Emmonak is a Yup'ik Eskimo village involved in commercial fishing,
processing and subsistence activities. Residents of Chuloonawick,
a nearby fish camp, also live in Emmonak. The sale or importation
of alcohol is banned in the village.
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| Economy:
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The city experiences a seasonal economy, with most activity occurring
during the summer. It is becoming a center for commercial fishing,
purchasing and processing on the lower Yukon River. Yukon Delta
Fish Marketing Co-op and Bering Sea Fisheries process and export
salmon from Emmonak. Two fish processing plants now operate in
Emmonak. 104 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Subsistence
activities, trapping and public assistance support income. The
majority of the community travels to fish camps during the summer
months to dry salmon for winter use.
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| Transportation:
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Emmonak relies on air and water transportation. A State-owned
4,400' airstrip is available. There are no connecting roads.
Winter trails to Kotlik, Alakanuk and Sheldon Point are used
by snow machines. Skiffs and ATVs are using during the summer
for local transportation.
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| Climate:
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A maritime climate predominates in Emmonak. Temperatures range
from -25 to 79. Precipitation is 19 inches per year, while snowfall
is 50 to 60 inches per year. The growing season is 100 days long.
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