King Salmon Alaska

Population: 385

Location and Climate
King Salmon is located on the north bank of the Naknek River on the Alaska Peninsula, about 15 miles upriver from Naknek. It is 284 miles southwest of Anchorage. It lies at approximately 58.688330° North Latitude and -156.66139° West Longitude. (Sec. 23, T017S, R045W, Seward Meridian.) King Salmon is located in the Kvichak Recording District. The area encompasses 169.6 sq. miles of land and 1.4 sq. miles of water. The climate is mainly maritime, characterized by cool, humid, and windy weather. Average summer temperatures range from 42 to 63; average winter temperatures range from 29 to 44. Extremes from -46 to 88 have been recorded. Total precipitation is 20 inches annually, including 45 inches of snowfall. Fog is common during summer months.

History, Culture and Demographics
Present-day tribal members are descendents of a group that was forced to relocate to King Salmon due to the eruption of Mount Katmai, on the east coast of the Peninsula. In the 1930s, an air navigation silo was built at King Salmon. At the beginning of World War II, the U.S. built an Air Force base. It was maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration throughout the war. In 1949, a post office was established, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed a road to Naknek. Other government quarters, such as National Park Service, Fish & Game, and the weather bureau, were developed. The King Salmon Inn opened in 1956. The community has grown as a government, transportation, and service center for the commercial red salmon and recreational visitor industries. In 1993, the Air Force Station went into a caretaker status. It is being maintained and operated under contract for the Air Force by the Chugach Development Corporation, and supports daily military activities, including Air Force, Army and Marine training missions, North American Air Defense (NORAD) missions and US Coast Guard law enforcement and search and rescue missions. As well, the Bristol Bay Borough and the State of Alaska are using several buildings on the base. A federally recognized tribe is located in the community -- the King Salmon Village Council. 30.1% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. The Native population is a mixture of Aleuts, Indians and Eskimos. Although King Salmon was not included in the 1972 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), the King Salmon Tribe became a federally recognized entity as of December 29, 2000. There are 24 active Native allotment claims and 2 patented claims near King Salmon. Students attend school in Naknek, 15 miles away. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 343 total housing units, and 147 were vacant. 106 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 247 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 8.86%, although 28.61% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $54,375, per capita income was $26,755, and 12.42% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Approximately 80% of households have individual wells and are fully plumbed. Most of these wells are shallow and range from 30 to 40 feet. FAA housing, located on the east side, is served by its own well and treatment system. The Borough operates a piped sewage system that serves most residents; it was recently expanded to the west housing area and the new 32-unit FAA housing subdivision. The former Air Force Base has an independent piped sewage system and lagoon. Some residents use individual septic tanks. The Borough operates a landfill, incinerator and balefill, located at mile 5 between King Salmon and Naknek, for use by both communities. Garbage collection is contracted to a private firm. Students are bused to Naknek, 15 miles away, to attend school. Electricity is provided by Naknek Electric Association. There are no state operated schools located in the community. Local hospitals or health clinics include King Salmon Health Clinic (246-3322); Camai Clinic in Naknek (246-6155). King Salmon is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2I in the Bristol Bay Region. Emergency Services have limited highway, airport and floatplane access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide. Auxiliary health care is provided by Bristol Bay Borough Emergency Services (246-4224/4222); Camai Clinic in Naknek (246-6155).

Economy and Transportation
Government jobs, transportation and fishing-related employment are the mainstays of the King Salmon economy. 36 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Air services employ a large portion of the community, as King Salmon is a major air transportation point for Bristol Bay salmon. The Bristol Bay red salmon fishery is the largest in the world, although there have been relatively poor seasons, such as in the early 1970s, 1982, and 1997. Salmon prices have declined in recent years. King Salmon is also a departure point for the Katmai National Park and Preserve, which includes the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, Brooks Camp, and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Fishing for all five species of salmon and rainbow trout are one of this area's top attractions. King Salmon airport is the summer hub for wilderness and fishing adventures in the area. The Air Force Base has been closed, although it is maintained under contract by Chugach Development Corp. King Salmon is a transportation hub for Bristol Bay. Formerly an Air Force Base, the State-owned airport offers an 8,500' paved, lighted runway, a 4,000' asphalt/gravel crosswind runway, and FAA air traffic control tower. There are scheduled jet flights and charter services to and from Anchorage. A 4,000' stretch of the Naknek River is designated for float planes. A seaplane base is also located at Lake Brooks, within the Katmai National Park to the east. Four docks are available on the Naknek River -- owned by the U.S. Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Alaska State Troopers and the Bristol Bay Borough. Cargo goods are delivered to Naknek by barge and trucked upriver to King Salmon via a 15-mile connecting road. During winter, an ice road provides access to South Naknek. Vehicles are the primary means of local transportation; skiffs are used during summer.

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

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[graphic version King Salmon Alaska]