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Source: Alaska
Department of Community and Economic Development
Eagle River, AK
| Current Population: |
30,000 (Estimate) |
| Incorporation Type: |
Unincorporated, located within
Municipality |
| Borough Located In: |
Municipality of Anchorage |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None, Property: 16.37 mills
(Borough - avg. of 44 service areas), Special: 8% Bed; 8% Rental Car;
$1.30 Cigarettes (per pack); 45% Other Tobacco Products (all Borough)
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| Location
and Climate |
| Eagle River is
located within the Municipality of Anchorage, between Fort Richardson
and the Chugach State Park. The area north of Fort Richardson to the
municipal boundary includes Eagle River, Chugiak, Birchwood, Peters
Creek, Thunderbird Falls and Eklutna. For a detailed map, go to: http://www.muni.org/Services/Departments/Com/Research/maps/eagle.gif.
The community lies at approximately 61.322220° North Latitude and
-149.56667° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 11, T014N, R002W, Seward
Meridian.) Eagle River-Chugiak is located in the Anchorage Recording
District. The average temperatures in January range from 8 to 21
degrees; in July, average temperatures range from 51 to 65. Annual
precipitation is 15.9 inches, with 69 inches of snowfall. |
| History, Culture and
Demographics |
| The name Eagle River was first
reported in 1939 by the U.S. Geological Survey. The Eagle River/Chugiak
area was settled by homesteaders, and prospered on agricultural
activities. The Eagle River post office was established in 1961. In
spite of local opposition, Chugiak and Eagle River became annexed to the
Municipality of Anchorage, when the City of Anchorage and the Greater
Anchorage Area Borough were unified in 1975.
The 2000 Census found a population of
22,000 in Eagle River, and an additional 8,000 in the settlements
further north -- Chugiak, Birchwood, Peters Creek, Thunderbird Falls and
Eklutna. Anchorage is a metropolitan city, primarily non-Native, with a
history of cultural diversity. Many residents participate in nearby
recreational and subsistence activities. Anchorage has over 162 parks,
including 10 large reserves. Recreation facilities include downhill and
cross-country skiing, ice hockey rinks, golf, swimming, and camping. The
George Sullivan Sports Arena, Alaska Performing Arts Center, Egan
Convention Center and many other facilities provide entertainment
opportunities. |
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Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The Eklutna Water Treatment Facility
supplies the Eagle River area water system which also has two production
wells located in the upper part of the system. The mains are mostly cast
iron and ductile iron pipe ranging in size from 2 to 24 inches. There is
500,000 gallons of storage in the upper part of the system. The Eagle
River Wastewater Treatment Plant was expanded in 1991, giving it the
capacity to provide for growth to the year 2005. It is a tertiary (three
stage) treatment plant, and has a capacity of 2.5 mgd. It discharges an
effluent nearing drinking water quality into Eagle River. Homes north of
the Eagle River business corridor use individual wells and septic tanks.
Matanuska Electric Association serves the area. Waste Management Co.
offers refuse collection services for disposal in the Anchorage regional
landfill on Hiland Road. Electricity is provided by Matanuska Electric
Association. There are 8 schools located in the community, attended by
5,281 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include numerous
private clinics, Alaska Regional Hospital (907-271-1131), Providence
Alaska Medical Center (907-562-2211), Alaska Native Medical Center
(907-563-2662), and Elmendorf 3rd Medical Group (907-580-6260), a U.S.
Airforce medical facility. Eagle River and Chugiak are classified as a
highway town/sub-regional center. Both are found in EMS Region 2D in the
Anchorage Region. Emergency Services have highway, coastal, air and
helicopter access, and are within 30 minutes of a higher-level satellite
health care facility. Emergency service is provided by 911 telephone
service and volunteers Auxiliary health care is provided by Chugiak
Volunteer Fire & Rescue (907-688-2686/907-522-1122). |
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Economy and Transportation |
Anchorage is the employment center, and
many residents of Eagle River, Chugiak, Palmer, and Wasilla commute for
employment. Some military personnel, stationed at Fort Richardson and
Elmendorf AFB, reside in the area. Eagle River is a service hub, and
offers a WalMart, Carrs/Safeway, new Fred Meyer, Spenard Builder's
Supply, retail and commercial services, dining, accomodations, bowling,
movie theater, and ice skating rink.
Float planes land on Fire Lake, in North Eagle River. The Birchwood
Airport provides a home base for private pilots. The State-owned Ted
Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Lake Hood Float Plane Base,
the Municipality's Merrill Field, and U.S. Army and Air Force facilities
are nearby. The Port of Anchorage handles 85% of the general cargo for
the Alaska Railbelt area. Several barge and trucking companies are
available. The Alaska Railroad connects Anchorage to Seward, Whittier
and Fairbanks. |
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