Location and Climate
Atqasuk is located on the Meade River, 60 miles south of Barrow. The community lies at approximately 70° North Latitude and -157° West Longitude. Atqasuk is located in the Barrow Recording District. The area encompasses 38.9 sq. miles of land and 3.5 sq. miles of water.
The climate is arctic. The daily minimum temperature drops below freezing 300 days a year. Temperature extremes range from a low of -56 to a high of 78 °F. Precipitation is light, at 5 inches per year. Snowfall averages 22 inches per year.
History, Culture and Demographics
The area has traditionally been hunted and fished by the Inupiat. The name means "the place to dig the rock that burns." During World War II, bituminous coal was mined in Atqasuk and freighted to Barrow for use by government and private facilities. The village had a post office from 1951 to 1957 under the name Meade River. There were no people in Atqasuk in 1970, but the community was re-established around 1977, primarily by former residents of Barrow. The city was incorporated in 1982.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Atqasuk Village. It is a traditional Inupiat village. Subsistence activities are important to the lifestyle. The sale, importation, and possession of alcohol is banned in the village. According to Census 2010, there were 68 housing units in the community and 64 were occupied. Its population was 92.3 percent Alaska Native.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
The North Slope Borough provides the water, sewer, refuse, landfill, and other public services. Water is obtained from Imakruak Lake, treated, and piped into plumbed houses. Delivery to household water tanks is also available. The majority of homes and facilities and the school have running water and flush system. Electricity is provided by North Slope Borough Power and Lights Systems.
There is one school located in the community, Meade River School. The school has about 75 students, from preschool through twelveth grade Atqasuk Health Clinic is a primary health care facility. Atqasuk is an isolated location it is part of the North Slope EMS Region. Emergency Services air access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service volunteers and a health aide. Auxiliary health care is provided by Atqasuk Volunteer Fire Dept. (907-633-6814).
Information from: http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/
