Current Population: 741 (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: Unalakleet is located on Norton Sound at the mouth of the Unalakleet River, 148 miles southeast of Nome and 395 miles northwest of Anchorage. It lies at approximately 63.873060° North Latitude and -160.78806° West Longitude. (Sec. 03, T019S, R011W, Kateel River Meridian.) Unalakleet is located in the Cape Nome Recording District. The area encompasses 2.9 sq. miles of land and 2.3 sq. miles of water. Unalakleet has a subarctic climate with considerable maritime influences when Norton Sound is ice-free, usually from May to October. Winters are cold and dry. Average summer temperatures range 47 to 62; winter temperatures average -4 to 11. Extremes have been measured from -50 to 87. Precipitation averages 14 inches annually, with 41 inches of snow. Culture: Unalakleet has a history of diverse cultures and trade activity. The local economy is the most active in Norton Sound, along with a traditional Unaligmiut Eskimo subsistence lifestyle. Fish, seal, caribou, moose and bear are utilized. The sale of alcohol is prohibited in the community, although importation and possession are allowed. Economy: Both commercial fishing for herring, herring roe and subsistence activities are major components of Unalakleet's economy. 109 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Norton Sound Econ. Dev. Council operates a fish processing plant. Government and school positions are relatively numerous. Tourism is becoming increasingly important; there is world-class silver fishing in the area. Facilities: Water is derived from an infiltration gallery on Powers Creek, and is treated and stored in a million-gallon steel tank. The water source is not sufficient during extremely cold weather, and a feasibility study is underway. 190 households are connected to the piped water and sewer system and have complete plumbing. Only two households haul water and honeybuckets. Residents haul refuse to the baler facility for transportation to the landfill. Refuse collection is available for commercial customers. Matanuska Electric Assoc. owns and operates the electrical system in Unalakleet, through the Unalakleet Valley Electric Cooperative. Transportation: Unalakleet has a State-owned 6,004' long by 150' wide gravel runway which recently underwent major improvements; and a gravel strip that is 2,000' long and 80' wide. There are regular flights to Anchorage. Cargo is lightered from Nome; there is a dock. Local overland travel is mainly by ATV's, snowmachines and dogsleds in winter. Climate: Unalakleet has a subarctic climate with considerable maritime influences when Norton Sound is ice-free, usually from May to October. Winters are cold and dry. Average summer temperatures range 47 to 62; winter temperatures average -4 to 11. Extremes have been measured from -50 to 87. Precipitation averages 14 inches annually, with 41 inches of snow. *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.