Iliamna, Alaska facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Iliamna, Alaska Illiamna
Census-designated place
Location of Iliamna, Alaska
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Borough	Lake and Peninsula
Area
• Total	37.69 sq mi (97.61 km2)
• Land	37.22 sq mi (96.39 km2)
• Water	0.47 sq mi (1.21 km2)
Elevation	155 ft (47 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	108
• Density	2.90/sq mi (1.12/km2)
Time zone	UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-8 (AKDT)
ZIP codes	99606, 99647
Area code(s)	907
FIPS code	02-35120

Iliamna (pronounced Ill-ee-AM-na) is a small community in Alaska, United States. It is located in the Lake and Peninsula Borough. In 2020, about 108 people lived there. The name Iliamna comes from the Dena'ina people, who are Native Alaskans. Iliamna is known as a census-designated place, which means it's a special area defined by the government for counting people.

History of Iliamna

Iliamna Landing Field, 1942

The original village of Iliamna was not in the same spot as it is today. It was called Old Iliamna (Dena'ina: Nuch'ak'dalitnu’). This older village was about 35 miles east of the current location. It was situated where the Iliamna River flows into Iliamna Lake. In 1935, the people living in Old Iliamna moved to the place where the community is now.

Early Businesses and Lodges

The first lodge for sport fishing in Iliamna was built in the 1930s. Another one followed in the 1950s. Many more lodges were built later in the 20th century. The economy of Iliamna mainly relies on two things. One is subsistence fishing and hunting, which means people fish and hunt for their own food. The other is the sport fishing lodges, which attract visitors. People who live in Iliamna all year round often focus on subsistence activities. However, summer workers from other places come to work at the lodges.

Around 1913, three men named Herman Gartelmann, Jack Kinney, and Ed Ahola built a roadhouse here. A roadhouse was a place where travelers could stop and rest. They chose this spot because it was good for air travel through Lake Clark Pass. Jack and Ed were from Old Iliamna village. Frederick Roehl bought the roadhouse around 1917. After he passed away in 1923, Hans Seversen took over. The place then became known as Seversen's Roadhouse. Hans Seversen started hosting big game hunters in 1921. He welcomed the first sport fishermen in 1937. Later, Martin Seversen ran the business starting in 1946 and built a new building. The operation was sold in 1956 by Mary Seversen Clark.

Future of Mining in Iliamna

Iliamna might become a mining town in the future. Several large companies are planning to develop a big gold, copper, and molybdenum mine. This mine would be located northwest of the village. It could become one of the largest mines of its kind in North America.

One company, Northern Dynasty Minerals, has already submitted its plans to the State of Alaska. The local government, the Lake and Peninsula Borough, has supported the mine's development. However, many nearby villages are strongly against it. Two non-profit groups, the Bristol Bay Alliance and the Renewable Resources Coalition, are working to stop open-pit mining in the Bristol Bay area. A study in 2006 showed that most Alaskans were against the mine's development.

Geography and Location

Iliamna is located in the southwest part of Alaska. Its exact coordinates are 59°45′54″N 154°50′25″W / 59.76500°N 154.84028°W / 59.76500; -154.84028. To the south, it borders the city of Newhalen. The Newhalen River is to its west, and Iliamna Lake is to its southeast.

The United States Census Bureau reports that Iliamna covers a total area of about 97.4 square kilometers (37.69 square miles). Most of this area, about 96.2 square kilometers (37.22 square miles), is land. The rest, about 1.2 square kilometers (0.47 square miles), is water.

Climate in Iliamna

Climate chart for Iliamna

Iliamna has a continental subarctic climate. This means it has mild summers and very cold winters. The average temperature for the whole year in Iliamna is about 37.7 degrees Fahrenheit (3.2 degrees Celsius). Five months of the year have average temperatures below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius). Three months have average temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).

July is the warmest month, with an average temperature of 57.8 degrees Fahrenheit (14.3 degrees Celsius). January is the coldest month, averaging 18.4 degrees Fahrenheit (-7.6 degrees Celsius). Winters can be very cold. Sometimes, temperatures drop below -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 degrees Celsius). About 32 days each year have temperatures of 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) or lower. The coldest temperature in a year can reach about -21 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 degrees Celsius).

Iliamna receives about 25.01 inches (63.5 cm) of rain and snow each year. Most of this precipitation falls during the summer and fall seasons.

Population and People

The current Iliamna first appeared in the U.S. Census in 1940. Before that, the census listed "Old Iliamna," which was the former village on the east side of the lake. That old village no longer exists.

As of the census in 2000, there were 102 people living in Iliamna. These people lived in 35 households, and 26 of those were families. The population density was about 2.8 people per square mile. There were 58 housing units in total.

The people living in Iliamna came from different backgrounds. About 39.22% were White. About 50.00% were Native American. And 10.78% were from two or more racial backgrounds.

In the households, 45.7% had children under 18 living with them. Most households, 62.9%, were married couples living together. A small number, 5.7%, had a female head of household with no husband present. About 20.0% of all households were single individuals. Only 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older. The average household had 2.91 people, and the average family had 3.42 people.

The population was spread out by age. About 34.3% were under 18 years old. About 6.9% were between 18 and 24. People aged 25 to 44 made up 28.4% of the population. Another 28.4% were between 45 and 64 years old. Only 2.0% of the population was 65 years or older. The median age in Iliamna was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were about 112.5 males.

See also

In Spanish: Iliamna (Alaska) para niños