|
learn about and participate in the local flavor of the capital city
Juneau.com
|
|
Most comprehensive online directory of job and employment resources in Alaska.
job resources
|
|
Send any gallery image as an online postcard. MetaPaint: specializing in website and logo design, print materials and photography.
metapaint.com gallery
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Dot Lake Alaska
63.39N - 144.04W
Population: 27
Location: Dot Lake is located on the Alaska Highway, 50 miles northwest of Tok, and 155 road miles southeast of Fairbanks.
History: Archaeological evidence at nearby Healy Lake revealed more than 10,000 years of human habitation. Dot Lake was used as a seasonal hunting camp for Athabascans from George Lake and Tanacross. An Indian freight trail ran north to the Yukon River, through Northway, Tetlin, Tanacross and Dot Lake. During construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942-43, a work camp called Sears City occupied Dot Lake's present location. Several local Natives worked on the road project. After 1946, the Charles family and other families moved permanently to Dot Lake from George Lake, Sam Lake and the Tanacross area. A post office and school were built in the late 1940s. The Dot Lake Community Chapel was built in 1949. A licensed children's home was built in the late 1950s. A new children's home was built in 1967, and the existing lodge was built in 1973. Today, the lodge, motel, grocery store and gas station are owned by non-Natives. The Natives have limited local employment opportunities.
Culture: Traditionally an Athabascan area, it is a currently a mixed population. There are two settlements: the Upper Tanana Athabascan village and a non-Native area one mile from the village.
Economy: Employment in the area is limited to the Dot Lake Lodge, The Eagle Rest Motel, the North Star Children's Home, the school and clinic. Parkas, moccasins, beadwork and other handicrafts are sold by local residents. In the summer, the BLM hires firefighting crews. One resident holds a commercial fishing permit. Subsistence activities are particularly important to the Native community -- moose, ducks, geese, ptarmigan, porcupines, whitefish, and other freshwater fish are utilized. Caribou are occasionally taken by lottery/permit, and many residents travel to Copper River to obtain salmon.
Transportation: Dot Lake lies along the Alaska highway. Supplies are brought in by truck or bus. Regular bus services to Fairbanks and Delta Junction are available. The nearest public airstrips are at Delta Junction and Tok; a privately-owned strip in Dot Lake was converted to a helicopter landing pad. Snowmachines and ATVs are used for local transportation. Dot Lake is not accessible by water, since the Tanana River is over 2 miles away. A few residents own riverboats which they use for fishing and hunting.
Climate: Dot Lake is located in the continental climatic zone, with cold winters and warm summers. In winter, cool air settles in the valley and ice fog and smoke conditions are common. Average low during December, January and February is -22; during summers, the average high during June, July and August is 65. Extreme temperatures have been measured from -75 to 90. Average annual precipitation is 9 inches, with 27 inches of snow.
Facilities: A piped water system operated by Dot Lake Utilities serves part of the community; it was constructed in 1970 and is currently beyond capacity. It consists of a well, utility building, and an underground utilidor with a circulating heat loop providing home heating. The school has its own well water system. Many residents have individual wells. Most homes use individual septic systems for sewage disposal. Outlying residents haul water and waste. The Village Council has requested funding to construct and equip a new washeteria/utility building, including heating, pumping, water treatment and power generation systems. The design and site pad have been completed. Electricity is provided by a line extension from Tok. The landfill is not permitted, and an upgrade is needed.
View current weather in Dot Lake
View more detailed census and development information
View more Alaskan communities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
