Alakanuk Travel Guide, Alaska

Overview of Alakanuk, AK US

Alakanuk is a second class city that lies in Wade Hampton Census-area of Unorganized Borough, westwards in the region of Alaska, the United States.

Alakanuk Location

Alakanuk, Alaska is situated at 164.61528° West and 62.688890° north. It is situated in Benthal Recording District. It is actually at the very eastern entrance of the Alakanuk Pass which is an important southern channel for River Yukon. It forms a part of Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge and lies almost 13 km southwest of Emmonak. It is considered as the longest in the villages of lower Yukon region and the homes that are there by the banks are always threatened by erosion.

Alakanuk Climate

Alakanuk’s climate is sub- arctic and receives almost 1,500 mm of snowfall along with over 480 mm of the total precipitation each year. The temperature of the place ranges from 25- 79 degrees Fahrenheit or 26 degrees Celsius. There are quite heavy winds that blow here frequently in winter and fall. The River Yukon is used as ice road when it freezes in winters that is from November to May.

Alakanuk History and Culture

Alakanuk is actually a Yup’ik term that implies “wrong way”. This has been used aptly for this village as there is a maze of water courses here. This village was reported first by a person called G.R. Putnam of Geodetic Survey and U.S. coast in 1899. It was originally settled by one of the Yup’ik shaman called Anguksuar along with his family. Later there was a construction a Catholic Mission School and a post office in 1946. Since then, various developments took place and the place prospered.

Economy and the transportation in Alakanuk, AK US

Alakanuk basically experiences a very seasonal economy. Almost 76 residents of this pace hold a special fishing commercial permit while many others have the gill-net permits. The government jobs along with the retail business actually provide a very limited development year round. Rabbit, salmon, seal, beluga whale and moose serve as food sources.

The Alakanuk airport serves most of the transportation needs while waterways are also very active here. Ice roads are popularly used in the winter season when the lakes freeze. In fact, boats and the snow machines are also used a lot for the purpose of travelling locally.

Some basketball tournaments and other social events provide good entertainment and recreation.