Galena, Alaska

Galena (/ɡəˈliːnə/) (Notaalee Denh in Koyukon) is a city in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska. At the 2020 census the population was 472, slightly up from 470 in 2010.[4] Galena was established in 1918, and a military airfield was built adjacent to the city during World War II. The city was incorporated in 1971.

Galena
Notaalee Denh
City
Galena following the 2013 flood
Galena following the 2013 flood
Galena is located in Alaska
Galena
Galena
Location in Alaska
Coordinates: 64°44′26″N 156°53′8″W
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
Census AreaYukon-Koyukuk
IncorporatedOctober 26, 1971[1]
Government
 • MayorEd Pitka Jr.[2]
 • State senatorClick Bishop (R)
 • State rep.Mike Cronk (R)
Area
[3]
 • Total24.51 sq mi (63.47 km2)
 • Land17.65 sq mi (45.72 km2)
 • Water6.85 sq mi (17.75 km2)
Elevation
128 ft (39 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total472
 • Density26.74/sq mi (10.32/km2)
Time zoneUTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-8 (AKDT)
ZIP code
99741
Area code907
FIPS code02-27530
GNIS feature ID1402457
Websitehttp://www.ci.galena.ak.us/

History

Prehistory and early history

The Koyukon Athabascans had seasonal camps in the area and moved as the wild game migrated. In the summer many families floated on rafts to the Yukon River to fish for salmon. There were 12 summer fish camps located on the Yukon River between the Koyukuk River and the Nowitna River. Galena was established in 1920 near an Athabascan fish camp called Henry's Point. It became a supply and point for nearby lead ore mines that opened in 1918 and 1919, and from which Galena takes its name.[5]

Military air base

In 1941 and 1942, during World War II,[5] a military air field was built adjacent to the civilian airport, and the two facilities shared the runway and flight line facilities. This air field was designated Galena Air Force Station shortly after the split of the United States Air Force from the United States Army, which occurred as a result of the National Security Act of 1947. During the 1950s, the construction of additional military facilities at Galena and the nearby Campion Air Force Station, in support of Galena's mission as a forward operating base under the auspices of the 5072nd Air Base Group, headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base, near Anchorage, provided improvements to the airport and the local infrastructure, causing economic growth for the area.

Following the end of the Cold War, in 1993, operation of Galena Air Force Station was turned over to a contractor, and all military personnel were withdrawn with only small groups of active personnel visiting the base on an as-needed basis.[5] The former military facility remains in use effectively as a forward operating location that is used occasionally by the military. This use came under scrutiny by the Base Realignment and Closure Committee in the late 2000s[6] and was officially closed October 1, 2010. The Air Force retains responsibility for toxin cleanup in the area and engineers from Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks still visit the site on occasion. The base is now totally controlled by the City of Galena, the Galena School District and the Alaska Department of Transportation. The Alaska Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) was pursuing retaining one of the F-16 fighter hangars as a CAP facility for the CAP Wing in Galena, the "Yukon Squadron".

Modern era
A home in Galena that was rebuilt after the flood of 2013

The City of Galena gained notoriety in 2011 when it was noted in media reports as being the US community which received the most benefits from lobbying efforts. The town evaded bankruptcy by aggressively lobbying for state and federal funds for the GILA boarding school in the town, which produced funds that turned the city's finances around.

In May 2013, Galena suffered a catastrophic flood when the spring breakup on the Yukon River caused an ice jam approximately 20 miles downstream, backing up the river and affecting 90% of homes in the city. This flood was on a scale never seen before by Galena residents. In the part of town closest to the river, houses were submerged to the roofs in water, and properties on higher ground suffered damage as well. Most of the residents were able to evacuate in thanks to the efforts of the local airlines, volunteer missionary pilots, and the Alaska National Guard. Some of the residents chose to stay behind and took refuge in the few last remaining dry parts of town. The flood dike the Air Force built around both the runway and the GILA boarding school managed to keep the river from reaching them.[7] Efforts were made to help Galena rebuild, with the assistance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and volunteer groups.[8]

Geography and climate

Galena is located at 64°44′26″N 156°53′8″W (64.740643, -156.885462).[9]

Galena is located on the north bank of the Yukon River, 45 mi (72 km) east of Nulato. The Innoko National Wildlife Refuge is southwest of Galena.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.0 square miles (62 km2), of which, 17.9 square miles (46 km2) of it is land and 6.1 square miles (16 km2) of it (25.41%) is water.

Galena is inaccessible by road to other parts of Alaska. Residents rely on river cargo in the brief summer season for the bulk of their needs, and planes, boats, or snowmachines to access the outside world.

Climate data for Galena, Alaska (1991–2020 normals,[lower-alpha 1] extremes 1942–present[lower-alpha 2])
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 43
(6)		 48
(9)		 50
(10)		 64
(18)		 85
(29)		 92
(33)		 91
(33)		 87
(31)		 75
(24)		 59
(15)		 45
(7)		 44
(7)		 92
(33)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 27.3
(−2.6)		 32.9
(0.5)		 36.5
(2.5)		 53.1
(11.7)		 72.8
(22.7)		 80.7
(27.1)		 82.5
(28.1)		 78.2
(25.7)		 64.0
(17.8)		 47.1
(8.4)		 30.5
(−0.8)		 26.1
(−3.3)		 84.4
(29.1)
Average high °F (°C) −2.7
(−19.3)		 9.0
(−12.8)		 18.6
(−7.4)		 37.7
(3.2)		 56.6
(13.7)		 68.7
(20.4)		 69.4
(20.8)		 62.4
(16.9)		 51.7
(10.9)		 31.4
(−0.3)		 11.6
(−11.3)		 2.7
(−16.3)		 34.8
(1.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) −9.8
(−23.2)		 −0.3
(−17.9)		 6.9
(−13.9)		 27.2
(−2.7)		 45.6
(7.6)		 58.0
(14.4)		 60.2
(15.7)		 54.0
(12.2)		 43.5
(6.4)		 25.5
(−3.6)		 5.5
(−14.7)		 −4.4
(−20.2)		 26.0
(−3.3)
Average low °F (°C) −16.8
(−27.1)		 −9.5
(−23.1)		 −4.8
(−20.4)		 16.8
(−8.4)		 34.6
(1.4)		 47.3
(8.5)		 51.1
(10.6)		 45.6
(7.6)		 35.4
(1.9)		 19.6
(−6.9)		 −0.6
(−18.1)		 −11.5
(−24.2)		 17.3
(−8.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C) −49.6
(−45.3)		 −41.1
(−40.6)		 −28.1
(−33.4)		 −9.5
(−23.1)		 19.4
(−7.0)		 37.3
(2.9)		 41.2
(5.1)		 33.3
(0.7)		 21.7
(−5.7)		 −2.9
(−19.4)		 −26.3
(−32.4)		 −39.5
(−39.7)		 −51.3
(−46.3)
Record low °F (°C) −70
(−57)		 −64
(−53)		 −54
(−48)		 −35
(−37)		 −7
(−22)		 25
(−4)		 28
(−2)		 28
(−2)		 2
(−17)		 −31
(−35)		 −52
(−47)		 −62
(−52)		 −70
(−57)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.60
(15)		 0.75
(19)		 0.59
(15)		 0.33
(8.4)		 0.44
(11)		 1.59
(40)		 2.04
(52)		 2.47
(63)		 1.75
(44)		 1.18
(30)		 1.24
(31)		 0.95
(24)		 13.93
(354)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 11.0
(28)		 14.9
(38)		 9.1
(23)		 4.6
(12)		 0.4
(1.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.3
(0.76)		 8.3
(21)		 12.8
(33)		 15.8
(40)		 77.2
(196)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 inch) 7.4 9.4 7.0 5.6 6.0 9.3 11.2 14.5 11.9 11.1 10.0 10.8 114.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 inch) 7.5 9.2 6.8 4.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 6.7 9.9 10.9 55.6
Source: NOAA[14][13]

Notes
  1. Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
  2. Temperature extremes from 1942 to 1993 are recorded by WRCC,[10][11][12] and extreme values from 1996 to the present are recorded by NOAA.[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
189015—
193067—
194044−34.3%
1950176300.0%
196026148.3%
197030215.7%
1980765153.3%
19908338.9%
2000675−19.0%
2010470−30.4%
20204720.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]

Galena first appeared on the 1890 U.S. Census as the unincorporated native village of "Notaloten".[16] It would not appear again until 1930, when it would first return as the village of Galena. It formally incorporated as a city in 1971.

As of the census[17] of 2010, there were 470 people, 190 households, and 123 families residing in the city. The population density was 26.3 inhabitants per square mile (10.2/km2). There were 264 housing units at an average density of 14.7 per square mile (5.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 29.4% White, 0.0% Black or African American, 63.6% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 6.2% from two or more races. 2.3% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 29.3% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 20 to 29, 20.8% from 30 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.8 years. There were 229 females, 166 of whom were 18 years and over, and 241 males, 171 of whom were 18 years and over.

The median income for a household in the city was $60,313, and the median income for a family was $62,917. The per capita income for the city was $26,551. About 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line and 18.9% were below 125 percent of the poverty line.[18]

Government and public safety

The headquarters for the Koyukuk/Innoko/Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge is located in Galena.[19]

The City of Galena is incorporated as a first-class city, governed by a city council. The city's mayor is Edward Pitka Jr.

Galena is the seat of the Galena Village, also known as the Louden Tribal Council, a Federally Recognized Tribal Government. The Tribal Council is elected to represent the local Athabascan Native community. The current council's tribal chief is Charlie Green.[20]

Patch of the Galena Police Department.

The City of Galena operates a full-time police department. There is an Alaska State Troopers post in Galena with two troopers and a trooper-pilot.

Galena has a volunteer search and rescue squad, and a volunteer fire department.

Education

As Galena is incorporated as a first-class city and located in the Unorganized Borough, it is required by state law to operate its own schools, Galena City School District, apart from the Rural Education Attendance Areas which otherwise prevail outside of incorporated boroughs. Along with other such cities across Alaska, Galena's school district operates a boarding school and a correspondence study program, to increase state funding which would not otherwise be available with the local pupil base.

Galena has three schools. Galena City School is primarily for local K–12 students. There is a public library located in the Sidney C. Huntington School. Sidney Huntington (1915–2015)[21] was a longtime resident and leader in Galena and the author of Shadows on the Koyukuk, a popular book on Alaska.

The vocational Galena Interior Learning Academy (GILA) is a boarding school which draws students from around the state. GILA is located on the site of the former Galena Air Force Station and is one of three public boarding high schools in Alaska; the second in size behind Mount Edgecumbe High School in Sitka. The third is the Nenana Living School in Nenana. GILA uses the former barracks as a dorm, the former PX and headquarters buildings as class rooms and the dining hall as a cafeteria, along with the gym and other facilities. Recently, a new STEM building was constructed to replace one of the old air force buildings that had been used for classrooms. GILA provides educational and vocational training to young men and women from all over Alaska, grades 9-12, with most students coming from remote Native Alaskan villages from the Interior, North Slope and Aleutian Islands. GILA hosts various training and regional conferences throughout the year. GILA student enrollment grew from 110 to 180 in the 2009–10 school year.

Galena's third school is Interior Distance Education of Alaska (IDEA), a statewide homeschool support program that serves 3,500 students across the state. As correspondence programs are tabulated by the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development as a single school, IDEA is considered the largest school by enrollment in all of Alaska.

Transportation, utilities and other facilities

Galena's Edward G. Pitka Sr. Airport (Code GAL) is the former Galena Air Force Station field and with a paved runway of over 8000 feet is the largest public, state-maintained airport in the Interior of Alaska. The control tower was demolished when the Air Force vacated the facility in 2007. The Airport is also the home of the "Yukon Squadron" of the AK Wing, Civil Air Patrol (CAP), which covers much of lp the interior region to the Bering Sea for Search and Rescue (SAR). A CAP Cessna-172 aircraft is stationed at Galena.

Heavy durable goods, such as oil, vehicles and building materials are transported by river barge in the summer.[22][23]

The City of Galena, as a first-class city, operates various vital services such as water and sewer. The city also owns Nollner Health Clinic operated by Tanana Chiefs Conference, a Native health clinic that offers 24-hour emergency care and routine health care. Eye and dental services are provided to residents on a visiting provider basis. Medical emergencies are stabilized at Nollner Clinic and flown by air ambulance to Fairbanks or Anchorage. Dire pediatric emergencies are flown to Seattle Children's Hospital.

Public radio station KIYU-FM, based in Galena, serves the city.

Energy
Further information: Galena Nuclear Power Plant

Galena's remote location, apart from Alaska's urban transportation and utility distribution networks, means that the city must transport and store fuel oil in large-volume quantities. In 2004, the Galena City Council tentatively accepted a proposal from Toshiba Corporation to build the Galena Nuclear Power Plant, a small, self-contained nuclear power plant. In 2010, the plan was abandoned after local start-up costs to build a $27 million reactor core proved prohibitive for the community.[24] The demonstration plant, the prototype for a line which Toshiba hoped to sell to similar communities in the U.S. and Canada, would have been the first civilian nuclear plant in Alaska; Fort Greely, Alaska, had a small military SM-4 reactor until the early 1970s.[25] There is currently an attempt at a movement towards solar power for Galena.

Sports

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race goes through Galena (on even years), as does the Tesoro Iron Dog trans-Alaska snowmobile race. Galena is the halfway point of the Yukon 800, an annual summer speedboat race beginning in Fairbanks and taking place along the Tanana and Yukon Rivers.

Galena school sports include volleyball, cross-country running, basketball, swimming, skiing, and native youth Olympics (NYO).

The Galena high school boys' and girls' basketball teams were regional champions from 2004 to 2007. The boys' basketball team won the state championship in 2008.

Frostbite, a character from the G.I. Joe 3.5" action figure toy line, is from Galena.[26]

In the video game Metal Gear Solid, Colonel Campbell announces to Solid Snake that two F-16 fighter jets have been dispatched from Galena as part of a diversionary tactic.

In the 1983 film WarGames, USAF General Beringer, played by Barry Corbin, scrambles two fighter jets from Galena, AK to intercept two invading radar indicated bombers. The bombers are a computer projection and once the fighters are within intercept range they disappear.

References
  1. 1996 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory. Juneau: Alaska Municipal League/Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs. January 1996. p. 58.
  2. DeMarban, Alex (August 31, 2019). "Alaska village gives suspected drug dealer the boot with a one-way plane ticket out of town". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  3. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  4. "2020 Census Data - Cities and Census Designated Places" (Web). State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  5. state.ak.us
  6. "BRAC panel questions Galena status".
  7. Hopkins, Kyle; Hallinen, Bob (June 15, 2013). "Galena counts its losses from Yukon River flooding". Alaska Dispatch News News. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  8. "FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Open in Galena". fema.gov. July 6, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. "Maximum of Maximum Temperature (Degrees Fahrenheit)". Western Regional Climate Center. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  11. "Minimum of Minimum Temperature (Degrees Fahrenheit)". Western Regional Climate Center. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  12. "GALENA AP, ALASKA (503215)". Western Regional Climate Center. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  13. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Fairbanks". National Weather Service. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  14. "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Weather Service. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  15. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. "Geological Survey Professional Paper". 1949.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  18. "Community and Regional Affairs". Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  19. "Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge". fws.gov. Archived from the original on March 14, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  20. "Tribes". National Congress of American Indians. Archived from the original on July 21, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  21. Sidney Huntington dies at 100
  22. +Communities we serve
  23. "Cargo Delivery by Barge". Archived from the original on November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  24. "Nuclear power: Obama team touts mini-nukes to fight global warming - CSMonitor.com". The Christian Science Monitor. March 30, 2010.
  25. Buske, Norman, Pamela Miller & Lorraine Eckstein, "The Nuclear Reactor at Fort Greely." (Anchorage: Alaska Community Action on Toxins, 2000)
  26. "Frostbite (V1) G.I. Joe Action Figure - YoJoe Archive".
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