Naukati Bay, Alaska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Naukati Bay, Alaska
Nàakig̱èey
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Location of Naukati Bay in Alaska, United States
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 Naukati Bay, Alaska
Location in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Borough | Unorganized |
| Census Area | Prince of Wales-Hyder |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.09 sq mi (13.18 km2) |
| • Land | 4.79 sq mi (12.41 km2) |
| • Water | 0.30 sq mi (0.78 km2) |
| Elevation | 207 ft (63 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 142 |
| • Density | 29.64/sq mi (11.44/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-8 (AKDT) |
| ZIP code |
99950
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| Area code(s) | 907 |
| FIPS code | 02-52845 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1866964 |
Naukati Bay (which in the Lingít language is called Nàakig̱èey) is a small community in Alaska, United States. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's an area the government counts for population, but it's not officially a city or town. In 2020, about 142 people lived here.
Naukati Bay is also sometimes called Naukati or Naukati West. It's located on Prince of Wales Island, which is part of the Unorganized Borough of Alaska. This means it doesn't have a local borough government like some other places. The community is about 30 miles (48 km) north of Craig and 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Coffman Cove.
Over the last 30 years, Naukati Bay has grown from being just a logging camp to a small, independent community. Most of the local roads are unpaved gravel roads that were once used for logging. The area used to have a lot of trees cut down, but now new trees are growing back very thickly. The plant life here is typical of a temperate rain forest.
Contents
Climate in Naukati Bay
The weather in Naukati Bay is cool and influenced by the ocean.
- In summer, temperatures usually range from 46 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (8 to 21 degrees Celsius).
- In winter, temperatures are colder, usually between 32 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 6 degrees Celsius).
Geography of Naukati Bay
Naukati Bay is located at 55°52′25″N 133°11′5″W / 55.87361°N 133.18472°W. It sits between two calm bays, Little Naukati Bay and Naukati Bay, on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. The elevation of the community is about 207 feet (63 m) above sea level.
The total area of the Naukati Bay CDP is about 5.1 square miles (13 km2). Most of this area, about 4.8 square miles (12 km2), is land, and a smaller part, about 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2), is water.
Naukati Bay Harbor
Naukati Bay is a natural, sheltered harbor on the western side of Prince of Wales Island. It's located on the Pacific Ocean at 55°52′34″N 133°9′27″W / 55.87611°N 133.15750°W. This bay is the largest inlet on the east shore of Tuxekan Passage.
The entrance to the bay is narrow because of rocks and seaweed, and the whole area has many small islands, reefs, and rocks. Even with these obstacles, boats can travel well into the bay through a winding channel that is about 3 fathoms (about 18 feet or 5.5 meters) deep.
Naukati Creek
Naukati Creek is a stream that flows into Naukati Bay. Its mouth is at 55°53′19″N 133°8′52″W / 55.88861°N 133.14778°W, and it starts from a small lake at 55°53′36″N 133°5′26″W / 55.89333°N 133.09056°W. The creek flows west for about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) before reaching the bay.
History of Naukati Creek Area
The area around Naukati Creek was once a logging camp. Later, it became a place where the Alaska Department of Natural Resources offered land for people to settle.
How Naukati Got Its Name
The name "Naukatee Bay" was first recorded in 1904 by the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey. They noted it as the local name used by the Native American people in the area. The United States Geological Survey also recorded this local name in 1949.
Little Naukati Bay Harbor
Little Naukati Bay is another natural, sheltered harbor in the Naukati Bay area, also on the western shores of Prince of Wales Island. It's located at 55°52′36″N 133°12′45″W / 55.87667°N 133.21250°W.
This bay is on the east side of Tuxekan Narrows. It's not usually recommended for small boats to anchor there because its entrance is almost blocked by rocks and reefs when the water is low. The best way to enter it is through the North channel. The narrow area northwest of Little Naukati Bay is generally clear and deep enough for boats.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1990 | 93 | — | |
| 2000 | 135 | 45.2% | |
| 2010 | 113 | −16.3% | |
| 2020 | 142 | 25.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Naukati Bay was first counted as a census-designated place (CDP) in the 1990 U.S. Census.
In 2000, there were 135 people living in Naukati Bay. The population included people from different backgrounds:
- Most residents (86.67%) were White.
- About 9.63% were Native American.
- Smaller numbers were Black or African American, Asian, or from other races.
- Some residents (0.74%) were Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Naukati Bay in 2000 was 37 years old. About 32.6% of the population was under 18 years old.
Community Life and Culture
The people who live in Naukati Bay are mainly logging families and homesteaders (people who settled on land to farm or live). The community has two non-profit groups that help with planning and local issues. There are rules about selling alcohol, which is only allowed at the local package store.
Local Services and Infrastructure
The community has some basic services to support its residents.
Water and Sewer Systems
Water in Naukati Bay comes from collecting rainwater and from small streams. Some homes, especially those that were part of the original logging camp, have a piped water and sewer system. However, many homesteaders collect rainwater or bring in water from other places, and they use outhouses for waste. The community is looking for ways to get a treated water source and a better sewage system for everyone.
Waste Disposal
Residents in Naukati Bay burn their trash. The ash that's left over is then sent to a landfill in Thorne Bay.
Electricity
Electricity for the community is provided by the Alaska Power Company.
Schools
Naukati Bay has one school, called Naukati School. It is run by the Southeast Island School District. In June 2019, about 28 students attended this school.
Economy and Jobs
The main ways people earn money in Naukati Bay are through small sawmills and other jobs related to logging and lumber. Many of these jobs are seasonal, meaning they are only available at certain times of the year. Naukati Bay is also a place where logs from smaller logging camps on the island are brought for transfer. Families who came to homestead (settle on land) started arriving in the 1990s.
In 2000, about 39 residents had jobs. The median income for a household was $27,500.
Transportation
People usually get to Naukati Bay by float plane (an airplane that can land on water) or by using the North Island Road.
See also
In Spanish: Naukati Bay (Alaska) para niños
