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36-617: The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge includes the southwestern two-thirds of Kodiak Island , Uganik Island, the Red Peaks area of Afognak Island and all of Ban Island in the archipelago . It encompasses 1,990,418 acres (8,054.94 km). The refuge is administered from offices in Kodiak . The refuge contains seven major rivers and about 100 streams. It is a spawning ground for all five species of Pacific Ocean salmon , steelhead , Dolly Varden , and several other fish species; as well as

72-508: A fur trader , who founded a Russian settlement on Kodiak Island at Three Saints Bay in 1784; the present-day village of Old Harbor developed near there. In 1792, the settlement was moved to the site of present-day Kodiak and became the center of Russian fur trading with the Alaska Natives. In 1793, Grigory Shelikhov, with the help of the governor-general of Irkutsk , was given twenty craftsmen and ten families of farmers with

108-523: A fishing economy. Most families gain their livelihood from fishing, either directly by fishing for salmon and halibut or by working in a nearby cannery. The community's Russian Orthodox church, Protection of the Theotokos Chapel, was built around 1900 at the site of an earlier structure. A post office was established in 1933. Residents of nearby Kaguyak relocated to Akhiok after the 1964 earthquake and tsunami destroyed their village. The city

144-410: A household in the city was $ 33,438, and the median income for a family was $ 37,813. Males had a median income of $ 25,417 versus $ 6,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 8,473. There were 5.3% of families and 9.9% of the population living below the poverty line , including 12.5% of under eighteens and none of those over 64. Water is derived from a dam and reservoir on a small stream,

180-407: A nesting ground for 250 species of bird, many of which feed on salmon. The refuge has only six native species of mammals : Kodiak bear , red fox , river otter , ermine , little brown bat and tundra vole . The non-native mammals Sitka black-tailed deer , mountain goat , Roosevelt elk , caribou , marten , red squirrel , snowshoe hare , and beaver were introduced to the archipelago between

216-539: A tiny stack island off the eastern coast of Sitkalidak Island . In Alutiiq, this sacred place is now known as Awa'uq , "to become numb". The Alutiiq were conscripted by the Russian occupants for the purpose of hunting, gathering, and processing food and furs. Native labor was commandeered through hostage taking, physical threat, and punishment. The Alutiiq men were forced to obtain quotas of otter pelts and bird skins which were then stitched into waterproof parkas by

252-549: Is a Primary Health Care Facility. Akhiok is classified as an isolated village. It is found in EMS Region 2G in the Kodiak Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide. Auxiliary health care is provided by Akhiok Village Response Team (Clinic 907-836-2230); flight to Kodiak or Anchorage. Public sector employment and seasonal work provide cash flow in

288-510: Is a second-class city in Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska , United States. Akhiok is Kodiak's southernmost village. The population was 63 at the 2020 census . Akhiok, which does not have a post office, is a rural location in postal code 99615 that belongs to Kodiak. The village is sometimes called Alitak , after a nearby bay . Akhiok is located at 56.945560° North, 154.17028° West (Sec. 28, T037S, R031W, Seward Meridian). Akhiok

324-495: Is also home to the Pacific Spaceport Complex . The Kodiak bear and the king crab are native to the island. The fishing industry is the most important economic activity on the island; fisheries include Pacific salmon , Pacific halibut , and crab . The Karluk River is famous for its salmon run . Logging, ranching, numerous canneries, and some copper mining are also prevalent. An antenna farm at

360-412: Is an Alutiiq village dependent upon fishing and subsistence activities. The original village of Kashukugniut was occupied by Russians in the early 19th century. The community was originally a sea otter hunting settlement, located at Humpy Cove. The name Akhiok was reported in the 1880 census. In 1881, residents relocated to the present site at Alitak Bay. The relocation was, in part, based on the switch to

396-567: Is in the Kodiak Recording District , and the 3rd Judicial District. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 10.2 square miles (26.4 km ), of which 7.8 square miles (20.1 km ) is land and 2.4 square miles (6.3 km ), or 23.92%, is water. Akhiok is located at the southern end of Kodiak Island at Alitak Bay. It lies 80 miles (130 km) southwest of

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432-473: Is the namesake for Kodiak Seamount , which lies off the coast at the Aleutian Trench . The largest community on the island is the city of Kodiak, Alaska . Kodiak Island is mountainous and heavily forested in the north and east, but fairly treeless in the south. The island has many deep, ice-free bays that provide sheltered anchorages for boats. The southwestern two-thirds of the island, like much of

468-616: Is the summer season. It is Dfc bordering on Cfb , Dfb and Cfc in the Koppen classification. The University of Alaska Anchorage has a 50-acre (20-hectare) campus which opened in 1968, located about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) northwest of the City of Kodiak. Nearly two-thirds of the island is located within the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge and has no road access. Refuge headquarters are located on

504-562: Is treated and stored. Akhiok provides a piped gravity water and sewer system that serves all 25 homes in the community. A new water source is needed. A new landfill site is under development. Electricity is provided by City of Akhiok. There is one school in the community, Akhiok School of the Kodiak Island Borough School District , attended by 16 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Akhiok Medical Clinic (907-836-2230). Akhiok Medical Clinic

540-614: The Russian America territory and destroyed an estimated one-third of the Native population. The remaining Alutiiq on Kodiak Island were then consolidated into seven settlements where they were more readily offered medical, educational, and religious services by the Russian-American Company . The smallpox epidemic was eventually stopped with vaccination of the natives. Following the 1867 Alaska purchase by

576-487: The 1910 and 1920 census. In 1930, it was returned as "Alltak" (likely an erroneous spelling). In 1940, it reported as Alitak again. From 1950 to date (2010), it has returned as Akhiok, incorporating in 1972. As of the census of 2000, there were 80 people, 25 households, and 17 families residing in the city. The population density was 10.1 people per square mile (3.9/km ). There were 34 housing units at an average density of 4.3 per square mile (1.7/km ). The racial makeup of

612-526: The 1920s and 1950s and are now hunted and trapped. An estimated 2,300 brown bears inhabit the refuge, and an estimated 1200 bald eagles nest here every year. The climate of the refuge is that of southern Alaska, mild and rainy. Many areas in the refuge are densely forested with Sitka spruce at lower elevations. There are grasslands in drier areas, shrub habitats dominated by dense alder , and alpine habitats at higher elevations. The refuge contains several small glaciers . The refuge has no road access from

648-658: The Alaska mainland by the Shelikof Strait . The largest island in the Kodiak Archipelago , Kodiak Island is the second largest island in the United States and the 80th largest island in the world , with an area of 3,595.09 sq mi (9,311.2 km ), slightly larger than Cyprus . It is 160 km (99 miles) long and in width ranges from 16 to 97 kilometers (10 to 60 mi). Kodiak Island

684-478: The Alutiiq men to hunt for longer periods of time at increasingly distant areas as the local population of fur-bearing animals was extinguished. The Alutiiq suffered starvation and physical separation of families because of the able-bodied men hunting and trapping furs rather than providing food for the women, young, old, and sick as they had done traditionally. In 1837–1839, a smallpox epidemic swept through all

720-589: The Alutiiq women. The waterproof garments, made by the Alutiiq women, were given to the Alutiiq men as payment for the furs brought to the Russian fur traders. The Orthodox mission in Russian America was authorized by Catherine II in 1793, and then was established on Kodiak Island in 1794 by a group of monks from the Valaam Monastery in Saint Petersburg . The Russian fur traders radically expanded sea otter hunting operations and forced

756-882: The Chiniak Highway, right at the access road for the Buskin River State Recreation Site, which has camping, picnic areas, beaches, and fishing for salmon and trout in the Buskin River. The Pasagshak River State Recreation Site is a 25 acres (10 ha) park with a small campground and access to some of the island's best salmon and trout fishing. The island is also home to the Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park . Akhiok, Alaska Akhiok ( Kasukuak in Alutiiq ; Russian : Акхиок )

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792-544: The Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement. The city is accessible only by air and water. Island Air Service offers regular passenger service. In addition, Regular and charter flights are available from the city of Kodiak. There is a state-owned gravel runway (Akhiok Airport; AKK) 3,320 feet (1,010 m) long by 60 feet (18 m) wide, and a seaplane base at Moser Bay, owned by Columbia Ward Fisheries. Barge services are sporadic. A breakwater and boat launch are available, but

828-479: The Kodiak Archipelago, is part of Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge . Kodiak Island is part of the Kodiak Island Borough and Kodiak Archipelago of Alaska. The town of Kodiak is one of seven communities on Kodiak Island and is the island's main city. All commercial transportation between the island and the outside world goes through this city either via ferryboat or airline. Other settlements include

864-411: The United States, the island became part of the United States. Gradually Americans settled there, also engaging in hunting and fishing. Novarupta is a volcano 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Kodiak Island that erupted from June 6 to June 8, 1912: the largest eruption in the 20th century. Life on Kodiak Island was immobilized during the 60-hour eruption. Darkness and suffocating conditions caused by

900-516: The city of Kodiak , and 340 miles (550 km) southwest of Anchorage . The climate of the Kodiak Islands is dominated by a strong marine influence. There is little or no freezing weather, moderate precipitation, and frequent cloud cover and fog. Severe storms are common from December through February. Annual precipitation is 35 inches (890 mm). Temperatures remain within a narrow range, from 25 to 54 °F (−4 to 12 °C). Akhiok

936-485: The city was 2.50% White , 86.25% Native American , 3.75% Asian , and 7.50% from two or more races. 1.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 25 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.0% were married couples living together, 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.0% had someone living alone who

972-421: The community. Five residents hold commercial fishing permits. Almost all of Akhiok's residents depend heavily on subsistence fishing and hunting. Salmon, crab, shrimp, clams, ducks, seal, deer, rabbit and bear are utilized. The community is interested in developing a fish smokery and cold storage facility. Since January 2003, each Akhiok shareholder received $ 200,000 from sales of a $ 36 million trust fund provided in

1008-399: The eruption and its aftereffects. From 1915 to 1919, southwestern Alaska's salmon-fishing industry was devastated. The island was also hit by the 1964 Good Friday earthquake and tsunami , which destroyed much of the waterfront, the business district, and several villages. The weather of Kodiak is temperate by Alaskan standards. December to March is the cold season while June to August

1044-513: The falling ash and sulfur dioxide gas rendered villagers helpless with sore eyes and respiratory problems. Water became undrinkable. Radio communications were disrupted and visibility was nil. Roofs in the village collapsed under the weight of more than a foot of ash. Buildings were destroyed as avalanches of ash rushed down from nearby hillsides. On June 9, Kodiak villagers saw the first clear, ash-free skies in three days, but their environment had changed dramatically. Wildlife on Kodiak Island

1080-712: The obligation of paying government taxes for them, for promoting successful development of Russia-America settlements and the establishment of shipyards and factories. The settlers provided to Shelikhov were not serfs in the full sense of the word. It was not possible to sell, mortgage, or give away the settlers; they were owned by the company for as long as the Shelikhov-Golikov Company existed. In 1784, Shelikhov, along with 130 Russian fur traders , massacred (see Awa'uq Massacre ) several hundred Qik’rtarmiut Sugpiat ("Sugpiaq people of Qik’rtaq/Kodiak") tribe of Alutiiq men, women and children at Refuge Rock,

1116-494: The outside but contains part of a private road used for access to the Terror Lake hydroelectric facility . Public use of this road is prohibited. This article related to a protected area in Alaska is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Kodiak Island Kodiak Island ( Alutiiq : Qikertaq , Russian : Кадьяк ) is a large island on the south coast of the U.S. state of Alaska , separated from

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge - Misplaced Pages Continue

1152-512: The summit of Pillar Mountain above the city of Kodiak provides primary communications to and from the island. Kodiak is the ancestral land of the Sugpiaq , an Alutiiq nation of Native Americans . The original inhabitants subsisted by hunting marine mammals, fishing, and gathering. Kodiak Island was explored in 1763 by Russian fur trader Stepan Glotov . The first outsiders to settle on the island were Russian explorers under Grigory Shelikhov ,

1188-434: The villages of Akhiok , Old Harbor , Karluk , Larsen Bay , Port Lions , and an unorganized community near Cape Chiniak. The village of Ouzinkie on nearby Spruce Island is also part of the island community. Kodiak is also home to the largest U.S. Coast Guard base, which includes Coast Guard Base Kodiak , Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak , Communications Station Kodiak, and Aids to Navigation Station Kodiak. The island

1224-460: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.94. In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 35.0% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 122.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.0 males. The median income for

1260-458: Was devastated by ash and acid rain from the eruption. Bears and other large animals were blinded by thick ash, and many starved to death because large numbers of plants and small animals were smothered in the eruption. Birds blinded and coated by volcanic ash fell to the ground. Even the region's prolific mosquitoes were exterminated. Aquatic organisms in the region perished in the ash-clogged waters. Salmon in all stages of life were destroyed by

1296-412: Was incorporated in 1972. Akhiok first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as an unincorporated native village, all 114 residents were Native Alaskans. It was returned as Alitak in 1890 (accounting for the dramatic increase in population, it included the village of Akhiok and those working in the cannery at Olga Bay ). It did not appear on the 1900 census. It appeared as Akhiok (or alternatively as Achiok) on

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