Current Population: 340 (2003 State Demographer est.) Incorporation Type: 2nd Class City Borough Located In: Unorganized School District: Bering Straits Schools Regional Native Corporation: Bering Straits Native Corp. Location: Koyuk is located at the mouth of the Koyuk River, at the northeastern end of Norton Bay on the Seward Peninsula, 90 air miles northeast of Nome. It lies at approximately 64.931940° North Latitude and -161.15694° West Longitude. (Sec. 32, T006S, R012W, Kateel River Meridian.) Koyuk is located in the Cape Nome Recording District. The area encompasses 4.7 sq. miles of land and 0.0 sq. miles of water. Koyuk has a sub arctic climate with a maritime influence. Average summer temperatures range from 46 to 62; winter temperatures average -8 to 8. Annual precipitation is 19 inches, including 40 inches of snowfall. Extremes from -49 to 87 have been recorded. Norton Bay is usually ice-free from May to October. History: The site of "Iyatayet" on Cape Denbigh to the south has traces of early man that are 6,000 to 8,000 years old. The villagers were historically nomadic. Lt. Zagoskin of the Russian Navy noted the village of "Kuynkhak-miut" here in 1842-44. A Western Union Telegraph expedition in 1865 found the village of "Konyukmute." Around 1900, the present town site began to be populated, where supplies could easily be lightered to shore. Two boom towns grew up in the Koyuk region around 1914: Dime Landing and Haycock. The "Norton Bay Station," 40 miles upriver, was established to supply miners and residents in 1915. In addition to gold, coal was mined a mile upriver to supply steam ships and for export to Nome. The first school began in the church in 1915; the U.S. government built a school in Koyuk in 1928. The City was incorporated in 1970. Culture: Koyuk is a traditional Unalit and Malemiut Eskimo village that speaks a dialect of Inupiat Eskimo. Residents maintain a subsistence lifestyle. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village. Economy: The Koyuk economy is based on subsistence, supplemented by limited part-time jobs. Unemployment is high. There is a small amount of commercial fishing, primarily for herring, and some income is derived from reindeer herding. Thirteen residents hold commercial fishing permits. The main sources of meat are fish, reindeer, seal, beluga whale and moose. Facilities: A piped water and sewer system was recently completed for the west side of town, serving 51 households. A washeteria and central watering point also exist. The east loop system is under construction. The school has requested funding to connect to the new sewer system, since its septic effluent is posing a health hazard. DEC has approved the landfill for use, although it is not permitted. Funds have been requested to construct a new water plant and small washeteria. Transportation: There are no roads connecting Koyuk with other villages, although an 18-mile road to Six Mile Point is under construction. Access is limited to air and sea. There is a State-owned 3,000' long by 60' wide gravel runway which was recently improved. Regular flight service from Nome and Unalakleet is available. Supplies arrive in Nome and are lightered to shore. There is no dock in the village, although the City has requested funds for a small boat harbor feasibility study. Climate: Koyuk has a sub arctic climate with a maritime influence. Average summer temperatures range from 46 to 62; winter temperatures average -8 to 8. Annual precipitation is 19 inches, including 40 inches of snowfall. Extremes from -49 to 87 have been recorded. Norton Bay is usually ice-free from May to October. *Source: Alaska Department of Community & Economic Development   This information was made possible in part by a grant from the Technology Opportunities Program, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.