Port Graham Alaska

Editors note:

Great Halibut fishing in this area

Current Population:	136 (2006 Estimated Population (not Certified))
Incorporation Type:	Unincorporated
Borough Located In:	Kenai Peninsula Borough
Taxes:	Sales: 2% (Borough), Property: 6.5 mills (Borough), Special: None

Location and Climate

The community is located at the southern end of the Kenai Peninsula on the shore of Port Graham.

It is adjacent to Nanwalek, 7.5 miles southwest of Seldovia and 28 air miles from Homer.

The community lies at approximately 59.351390° North Latitude and -151.829720° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 32, T009S, R015W, Seward Meridian.)

Port Graham is located in the Seldovia Recording District.

The area encompasses 5.9 sq. miles of land and 0.0 sq. miles of water.

Winter temperatures range from 14 to 27; summer temperatures vary from 45 to 65.

Average annual precipitation is 24 inches.

Organizations with Local Offices

Village Corporation - Port Graham Corporation

P.O. Box 5569

Port Graham, AK 99603-5569

Phone 907-284-2212

Fax 907-284-2219

Village Council - Port Graham Village Council

P.O. Box 5510

Port Graham, AK 99603-5570

Phone 907-284-2227

Fax 907-284-2222

E-mail pnorman@starband.net

Regional Organizations

Borough - Kenai Peninsula Borough

144 North Binkley Street

Soldotna, AK 99669

Phone 907-262-4441

Fax 907-714-2377

E-mail assemblyclerk@borough.kenai.ak.us

Web http://www.borough.kenai.ak.us

Regional Native Corporation - Chugach Alaska Corporation

560 E. 34th Avenue

Anchorage, AK 99503

Phone 907-563-8866

Fax 907-563-8402

E-mail buhart@chugach-ak.com

Web http://www.chugach-ak.com

Regional Native Health Corporation - Chugachmiut

1840 South Bragaw Street

Anchorage, AK 99508

Phone 907-562-4155

Fax 907-563-2891

E-mail info@chugachmiut.org

Web http://www.chugachmiut.org

Native Housing Authority - North Pacific Rim Housing Auth

8300 King Street

Anchorage, AK 99518

Phone 907-562-1444

Fax 907-562-1445

E-mail olen@nprha.com

Regional Development - Kenai Pen. Econ. Dev. District

14896 Kenai Spur Hwy. #103-A

Kenai, AK 99611-7000

Phone 907-283-3335

Fax 907-283-3913

E-mail jparker@kpedd.org

Web http://www.kpedd.org

Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care

Water is derived from a surface source, is treated and stored in a 50,000-gal. redwood tank.

Port Graham has a piped water system and sewage disposal in a community septic tank.

A sludge lagoon was recently completed. 66 homes and facilities are served by the system; almost 90% of households are fully plumbed.

Port Graham Corporation operates the washeteria.

The community has requested funds for a new 150,000-gal. water storage tank to provide better treatment and pressure, and to connect Duncan Heights Subdivision to the system.

Electricity is provided by Homer Electric Association.

There is one school located in the community, attended by 32 students.

Local hospitals or health clinics include Port Graham Clinic (907-284-2241).

Specialized Care: South Kachemak Alcohol Program (operated by village council).

Port Graham is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 2F in the Prince William Sound Region.

Emergency Services

Emergency Services have coastal and air access.

Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide Auxiliary health care is provided by Port Graham EMS/Ambulance (907-284-2245/2262).

Economy and Transportation

A new $4.5 million fish cannery and hatchery opened on June 19, 1999.

The cannery provides seasonal employment for 70 Port Graham and Nanwalek residents.

Red salmon fry are raised for area lakes, and pink salmon are raised for the cannery.

12 residents hold commercial fishing permits.

Port Graham is not accessible by road.

A State-owned 1,975' long by 45' wide dirt/gravel airstrip is available.

The community offers docking facilities.

There is a 4-mile trail to Nanwalek.

History, Culture and Demographics

The earliest known settlers were Russians from the nearby trading post at Nanwalek.

In 1850, the Russian-American Co. established a coal mine at Port Graham, but it was not economical and lasted only a few years.

Port Graham became the site of a cannery and wharf, according to the U.S. Geological Survey in 1909.

In 1911, the Fidalgo Island Packing Co. established a cannery, and Aleuts from Nanwalek moved to the community.

A post office operated between 1938 and 1961.

The cannery burned in 1960.

It was rebuilt in 1968 by Whitney/Fidalgo, and was sold to the village corporation in 1983.

A pink salmon hatchery began operations in 1991.

In January 1998, the hatchery and salmon processing plant were destroyed by fire.

The hatchery and processing plant were rebuilt and re-opened in June 1999.

The cannery continues to be the main economic activity in the community, employing residents of Nanwalek as well.

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Port Graham.

The population of the community consists of 88.3% Alaska Native or part Native.

Port Graham is a traditional Alutiiq village with a fishing and subsistence lifestyle.

During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 82, and vacant housing units numbered 12. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 6. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 59 residents as employed.

The unemployment rate at that time was 22.37 percent, although 54.26 percent of all adults were not in the work force.

The median household income was $40,250, per capita income was $13,666, and 18.8 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.

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