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Location and Climate
Portage Creek is located at the mouth of Portage Creek, a tributary of the Nushagak River, 29 miles southeast of Dillingham. The community lies at approximately 58.900160° North Latitude and -157.66153° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 01, T015S, R051W, Seward Meridian.) Portage Creek is located in the Bristol Bay Recording District. The area encompasses 13.1 sq. miles of land and 0.0 sq. miles of water. Portage Creek is located in a climatic transition zone. The primary influence is maritime, although a continental climate affects the weather. Average summer temperatures range from 30 to 66; winter temperatures range from well below zero to 30. Annual precipitation ranges from 20 to 35 inches. Fog and low clouds are common during the summer. The River is ice-free from June through mid-November.
History, Culture and Demographics
This site was used by the Yup'ik Eskimos as an overnight summer camp. Portage Creek was so named because it was used to portage boats from the Nushagak River to the Kvichak River. In this way, travelers could avoid the open waters of Bristol Bay and the long trip around Etolin Point. The village was permanently settled in 1961 by some families from Koliganek and other villages up the Nushagak River. A BIA school was established in 1963, and during the winter of 1964-65, 11 families lived in Portage Creek. In 1965, the village was served by a local, scheduled air carrier. Through the mid-1980s, Portage Creek was an active community, but the population has since declined.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Portage Creek Village Council (Ohgsenakale). The population of the community consists of 86.1% Alaska Native or part Native. The village is a popular recreational fishing and camping site from May through July, and a hunting location for Yup'ik residents. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 22, and vacant housing units numbered 15. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 8. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 2 residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 0 percent, although 50 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $41,250, per capita income was $8,010, and 0 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
There are no central facilities currently in operation. The central well is rusty; most residents haul water from down river. Honeybuckets are used for sewage disposal. Funds have been requested to conduct a sanitation study. There is no functioning electric system. The village wants to renovate the deteriorated electric building and purchase a new generator to restore operations. The landfill is recorded as inactive. Electricity is provided by Individual Generators. There is one school located in the community, attended by 14 students. Auxiliary health care is provided by flight to Dillingham.
Economy and Transportation
Everyone depends to some extent on subsistence activities for various food sources. Most families have fish camps at Ekuk or Lewis Point. Salmon, moose, caribou, duck, geese and berries are harvested. An exchange relationship exists between Portage Creek and the coastal communities; walrus, seal and herring roe are sought. The Portage Creek General Store and Lodge operates during the summer months.
Chartered air transport is most frequently used to reach Portage Creek, and skiffs are used locally. There is a State-owned 1,470' long by 60' wide gravel airstrip, maintained only during summer months, and seaplanes may land on the Nushagak River. Cargo goods are lightered to the beach, since there are no docking facilities. Snowmachines are used for winter travel.
Information taken from State of Alaska Online Community Database
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