Nenana Alaska

Population: 519

Location and Climate
Nenana is located in Interior Alaska, 55 road miles southwest of Fairbanks on the George Parks Highway. Nenana is located at mile 412 of the Alaska Railroad, on the south bank of the Tanana River, just east of the mouth of the Nenana River. It lies 304 road miles northeast of Anchorage. It lies at approximately 64.563890° North Latitude and -149.09306° West Longitude. (Sec. 14, T004S, R008W, Fairbanks Meridian.) Nenana is located in the Nenana Recording District. The area encompasses 6.0 sq. miles of land and 0.1 sq. miles of water. Nenana has a cold, continental climate with an extreme temperature range. The average daily maximum during summer months is 65 to 70; the daily minimum during winter is well below zero. The highest temperature ever recorded is 98; the lowest is -69. Average precipitation is 11.4 inches, with 48.9 inches of snowfall annually. The River is ice-free from mid-May to mid-October.

History, Culture and Demographics
Nenana is in the western-most portion of Tanana Athabascan Indian territory. It was first known as Tortella, an interpretation of the Indian word "Toghotthele," which means "mountain that parallels the river." Early explorers such as Allen, Harper and Bates first entered the Tanana Valley in 1875 and 1885. However, the Tanana people were accustomed to contact with Europeans, due to trading journeys to the Village of Tanana, where Russians bartered Western goods for furs. The discovery of gold in Fairbanks in 1902 brought intense activity to the region. A trading post/roadhouse was constructed by Jim Duke in 1903, to supply river travelers and trade with Indians. St. Mark's Episcopal mission and school was built upriver in 1905. Native children from other communities, such as Minto, attended school in Nenana. A post office opened in 1908. By 1909, there were about 12,000 residents in the Fairbanks area, most drawn by gold mining activities. In 1915, construction of the Alaska Railroad doubled Nenana's population. The Nenana Ice Classic - a popular competition to guess the date and time of the Tanana River ice break-up each spring - began in 1917 among surveyors for the Alaska Railroad. The community incorporated as a City in 1921. The Railroad Depot was completed in 1923, when President Warren Harding drove the golden spike at the north end of the 700-foot steel bridge over the Tanana River. Nenana now had a transportation link to Fairbanks and Seward. According to local records, 5,000 residents lived in Nenana during this time, however, completion of the railroad was followed by an economic slump. The population in 1930 was recorded at 291. In 1961, Clear Air Force Station was constructed 21 miles southwest, and many civilian contractors commuted from Nenana. A road was constructed south to Clear, but north, vehicles were ferried across the Tanana River. In 1967 the community was devastated by one of the largest floods ever recorded in the valley. In 1968, a $6 million bridge was completed across the Tanana River, which gave the city a road link to Fairbanks and replaced the River ferry. The George Parks Highway was completed in 1971, which provided a shorter, direct route to Anchorage. A federally recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Nenana Native Association. 47.3% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. The population of Nenana is a diverse mixture of non-Natives and Athabascans. The majority of residents participate in subsistence activities. Several Iditarod sled dog race competitors and former champions are residents of Nenana. During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 210 total housing units, and 39 were vacant. 26 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 170 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 23.77%, although 52.25% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $33,333, per capita income was $17,334, and 17.83% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Water is derived from two wells, is treated and distributed via circulating loops. A piped gravity system collects sewage, which is treated at a secondary treatment plant. Most of the City is connected to the piped water and sewer system -- 215 homes and the school are served. The remaining homes have individual wells and septic systems. Refuse is collected by a private firm, and hauled to the new Denali Borough regional landfill, located south of Anderson. Electricity is provided by Golden Valley Electric Association. There are 2 schools located in the community, attended by 1,368 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Nenana Native Clinic (832-5247) or Fairbanks hospitals. Specialized Services: Railbelt Mental Health & Addiction Services. Nenana is classified as a highway town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have highway, river and airport access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service, volunteers and a health aide. Auxiliary health care is provided by Nenana Volunteer Fire/EMS (832-5632) or Fairbanks hospitals.

Economy and Transportation
Over 40% of the year-round jobs are government-funded, including the City, Tribe, Nenana School District, Yukon-Koyukuk School District, and DOT highway maintenance. Nenana has a strong seasonal private sector economy as the center of rail-to-river barge transportation center for the Interior. Yutana Barge Lines is the major private employer in Nenana, supplying villages along the Tanana and Yukon Rivers each summer with cargo and fuel. The City also attracts independent travelers with fuel and supplies, the Alaska Railroad Museum, the Golden Railroad Spike Historic Park and Interpretive Center, the historical Episcopal Church, Iditarod dog kennels, and a replica of the sternwheeler Nenana. A heritage center is also under development. The Nenana Ice Classic administration provides short-term employment for nearly 100 locals. 27 residents hold commercial fishing permits. The majority of Native households rely on subsistence foods, such as salmon, moose, caribou (by permit), bear, waterfowl and berries. Nenana has excellent air, river, road and railroad access. The George Parks Highway provides road access to Fairbanks and Anchorage. The railroad provides daily freight service. The Nenana Municipal Airport offers a 5,000' long by 100' wide asphalt, lighted runway, in addition to a turf, 2,520' long by 80' wide air strip. The airport also has float plane and ski plane landing areas. The Nenana Port Authority operates the dry cargo loading and unloading facilities, dock, bulkhead, and warehouse. The Tanana River is shallow, with a maximum draft for loaded river barges of 4.5 feet; by comparison, the Yukon River has very few shallow areas.

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

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[graphic version Nenana Alaska]