Location and Climate

Alatna is on the north bank of the Koyukuk River, southwest of its junction with the Alatna River, approximately 190 air miles northwest of Fairbanks and 57 miles upriver from Hughes. Alatna lies just west of the municipal boundaries of the City of Allakaket. The community lies at approximately 66.566920° North Latitude and -152.666390° (West) Longitude (Sec. 33, T021N, R024W, Fairbanks Meridian). Alatna is located in the Fairbanks Recording District. The area encompasses 36.5 sq. miles of land and 0.0 sq. miles of water. 

The area has a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. The average high temperature during July is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low during January is well below zero, and extended periods of -40 degrees Fahrenheit are common. The highest temperature ever recorded was 94 degrees Fahrenheit and the lowest temperature ever recorded was -75 degrees Fahrenheit.  Average annual precipitation is 13 inches and average annual snowfall is 72 inches. The Koyukuk River is ice-free from June through October.

History and Culture

Several Native groups have lived in the area, including Koyukon Athabascans and Kobuk, Selawik, and Nunamiut Eskimos from the north and northwest. The Koyukon lived in several camps throughout the year, moving as the seasons changed, following the wild game and fish. The various bands established joint settlements after 1851. The old site of Alatna was a traditional trading center for Athabascans and Eskimos.  

The first mission on the Koyukuk River, St. John's-in-the-Wilderness Episcopal Mission, was established in 1906. A post office was opened in 1925. In 1938, the name of the community was changed to Allakaket (the old name for the mission), and the name Alatna was assumed by the small Eskimo community across the river. The first public school was established in 1957. A flood caused by ice jamming inundated 85% of the community in the spring of 1964. In 1975, the community incorporated as a city, including both settlements of Allakaket and Alatna. A clinic and airport were built in 1978. A new school and community roads were built in 1979. In September 1994, flood waters destroyed and swept away nearly all of the community's buildings, homes, and food caches for the winter. Residents have rebuilt near the old city site, but Alatna is no longer within the incorporated city boundaries.

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Alatna Village. The population of the community is 97.1% Alaska Native or part Native. The Alatna population consists largely of descendants of Kobuk Eskimos; Athabascan Indians predominantly live in Allakaket. Subsistence activities are prevalent.

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care 

Alatna residents haul water and use honeybuckets or outhouses. None of the 12 occupied homes have plumbing. Major improvements are underway. A new water source, water treatment plant, washeteria and sewage lagoon have been built. There is an electrical intertie with Allakaket. Residents use the Allakaket clinic, washeteria, landfill and school. Electricity is provided by Alaska Power & Telephone.  There are no state operated schools located in the community. The Alatna Clinic serves as a primary health care facility.

Economy and Transportation

The economy is seasonal and subsistence-based. Salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, small game and berries provide most food sources. Caribou are taken when available. A few members of the community earn income from trapping or traditional Native handicrafts. Construction and BLM emergency firefighting also provide summer jobs.

Alatna has no road link, but winter trails connect it with Hughes, Bettles and Tanana. River transportation is important during the summer. A state-owned 3,500' lighted runway is accessible year-round in Allakaket. There is no barge service due to shallow water.

See photos of Alatna at the UAF Jukebox project.