Cordova Alaska

Population: 2372

Location and Climate
Cordova is located at the southeastern end of Prince William Sound in the Gulf of Alaska. The community was built on Orca Inlet, at the base of Eyak Mountain. It lies 52 air miles southeast of Valdez and 150 miles southeast of Anchorage. It lies at approximately 60.542780° North Latitude and -145.7575° West Longitude. (Sec. 28, T015S, R003W, Copper River Meridian.) Cordova is located in the Cordova Recording District. The area encompasses 61.4 sq. miles of land and 14.3 sq. miles of water. Winter temperatures average from 17 to 28; summer temperatures average 49 to 63. Annual precipitation is 167 inches, including 80 inches of snowfall.

History, Culture and Demographics
The area has historically been home to the Alutiiq, with the addition of migrating Athabascan and Tlingit natives who called themselves Eyaks. Alaskan Natives of other descents also settled in Cordova. Orca Inlet was originally named "Puerto Cordova" by Don Salvador Fidalgo in 1790. One of the first producing oil fields in Alaska was discovered at Katalla, 47 miles southeast of Cordova, in 1902. The town of Cordova was named in 1906 by Michael Heney, builder of the Copper River and Northwestern Railroad, and the City was formed in 1909. Cordova became the railroad terminus and ocean shipping port for copper ore from the Kennecott Mine up the Copper River. The first trainload of ore was loaded onto the steamship "Northwestern," bound for a smelter in Tacoma, Washington, in April 1911. The Bonanza-Kennecott Mines operated until 1938 and yielded over $200 million in copper, silver and gold. The Katalla oil field produced until 1933, when it was destroyed by fire. Fishing became the economic base in the early 1940s. 15% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. Cordova has a significant Eyak Athabascan population with an active Village Council. Commercial fishing and subsistence are central to the community's culture. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 1,099 total housing units, and 141 were vacant. 68 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 1,221 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 6.86%, although 33.75% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $50,114, per capita income was $25,256, and 7.52% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Cordova utilizes water from Murcheson Falls, Heney Creek dam, Meals Reservoir, the Orca Reservoir, and Eyak Lake. The water is treated, but only the Eyak water is filtered. Water storage capacity is 2.1 million gallons. The City operates a piped water and sewer system. Sewage is treated before discharge. Over 90% of homes are fully plumbed. Some homes use individual wells and septic systems. The City wants to design a new wastewater treatment plant. A new Class 2 landfill and sludge disposal is available at Mile 17. The community participates in recycling and a household hazardous waste program. Cordova Electric Cooperative operates two diesel-powered plants, at Eyak and Orca, and the Humpback Creek Hydro Facility. Electricity is provided by Cordova Electric Cooperative, Inc. There are 2 schools located in the community, attended by 457 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Cordova Community Medical Center (424-8000); Ilanka Health Center (424-3622). The hospital is a qualified Acute Care and Long Term Care facility. Cordova is classified as a large town/Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 2F in the Prince William Sound Region. Emergency Services have limited highway, marine, aiport and floatplane access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service and volunteers. Auxiliary health care is provided by Cordova Volunteer Fire Dept./EMS/Search & Rescue (424-6117/6100).

Economy and Transportation
Cordova supports a large fishing fleet for Prince William Sound and several fish processing plants. 343 residents hold commercial fishing permits, and nearly half of all households have someone working in commercial harvesting or processing. Copper River red salmon, pink salmon, herring, halibut, bottom fish and other fisheries are harvested. Reduced salmon prices have affected the economy. The largest employers are North Pacific Processors, Cordova School District, Cordova Hospital, the City, and the Department of Transportation. The U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Coast Guard maintain personnel in Cordova. Cordova is accessed by plane or boat. It is linked directly to the North Pacific Ocean shipping lanes through the Gulf of Alaska. It receives year-round barge services and State Ferry service. The Merle K. "Mudhole" Smith Airport at mile 13 is State-owned and operated, with a 7,499' long by 150' wide asphalt runway and 1,875' long by 30' wide gravel crosswind runway. The State-owned and City-operated Cordova Municipal Airport has a 1,800' long by 60' wide gravel runway. Daily scheduled jet flights and air taxis are available. Float planes land at the Lake Eyak seaplane base or the boat harbor. Harbor facilities include a breakwater, dock, a small boat harbor with 850 berths, boat launch, boat haul-out, a ferry terminal, and marine repair services. A 48-mile gravel road provides access to the Copper River Delta to the east. Plans for a highway up the Copper River to connect with the statewide road system have been controversial.

Source: State of Alaska, Department of Community and Economic Development.

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[graphic version Cordova Alaska]