Valdez, Alaska
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| Valdez, Alaska | |
|---|---|
| Name | Valdez |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | "The Switzerland of Alaska" |
| Pushpin label | Valdez |
| Coordinates | 61, 07, 51, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision type2 | Borough |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision name1 | Alaska |
| Subdivision name2 | Unorganized Borough |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1898 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated |
| Established date1 | 1901 |
| Government type | Council–manager |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader title1 | City manager |
| Area total km2 | 717.6 |
| Area total sq mi | 277.1 |
| Area land km2 | 574.0 |
| Area land sq mi | 221.6 |
| Area water km2 | 143.6 |
| Area water sq mi | 55.5 |
| Elevation m | 30 |
| Elevation ft | 98 |
| Population total | 3855 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | 6.7 |
| Population density sq mi | 17.4 |
| Timezone | Alaska Time Zone |
| Utc offset | -9 |
| Timezone DST | AKDT |
| Utc offset DST | -8 |
| Postal code type | ZIP code |
| Postal code | 99686 |
| Area code | 907 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 02-82200 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1415847 |
| Website | https://www.ci.valdez.ak.us/ |
Valdez, Alaska. A city in the Unorganized Borough of the State of Alaska, it is an ice-free port situated on the northern shore of Port Valdez, a deepwater fjord in Prince William Sound. Renowned as the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, it is a critical hub for the shipment of North Slope crude oil and a popular destination for tourism, fishing, and outdoor recreation amidst the dramatic landscapes of the Chugach Mountains.
History
The area's original inhabitants were the Sugpiaq (Alutiiq) people. The city's modern founding occurred in 1898 as a debarkation point for prospectors heading to the Klondike Gold Rush, named for Spanish naval officer Antonio Valdés y Fernández Bazán. A devastating event, the 1964 Alaska earthquake, triggered a submarine landslide that generated a massive tsunami, completely destroying the original townsite. The community was subsequently relocated and rebuilt four miles west on more stable ground. The city's modern identity was further shaped by the completion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System in 1977 and marred by the catastrophic Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound in 1989, one of the largest environmental disasters in United States history.
Geography
Valdez is located at the head of Port Valdez, a fjord in northeastern Prince William Sound. The city is surrounded by the steep, glaciated peaks of the Chugach Mountains, including notable features like the Valdez Glacier and Diamond Peak. The new city site, constructed after the 1964 Alaska earthquake, lies on the outwash plain of the Lowe River. The region's geography is dominated by water and ice, with the Columbia Glacier located to the west and the Shoup Glacier within the Shoup Bay State Marine Park.
Climate
Valdez experiences a subarctic climate, heavily moderated by its maritime location, resulting in significant precipitation. It is one of the snowiest communities in the United States, with an average annual snowfall exceeding 300 inches, often delivered by systems from the Gulf of Alaska. Winters are relatively mild for the latitude, while summers are cool. This climate supports the numerous glaciers of the Chugach Mountains and contributes to the high avalanche risk on surrounding slopes, notably along the Richardson Highway.
Economy
The economy is dominated by the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, with the Valdez Marine Terminal serving as the pipeline's southern terminus for oil tanker loading, operated by the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. Commercial fishing, particularly for salmon and halibut, remains a historic and vital industry in Prince William Sound. The Port of Valdez is a strategic freight hub. Tourism is a major seasonal driver, centered on cruise ship visits, charter fishing, and viewing the Columbia Glacier. The city also serves as a gateway for backcountry skiing and heli-skiing operations in the Chugach Mountains.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was approximately 3,855. The demographic composition reflects its industrial and seasonal economic base, with a workforce engaged in the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, the United States Coast Guard, fishing, and tourism. The community includes descendants of original settlers from the Klondike Gold Rush era and has a small but present Alaska Native population. Seasonal fluctuations occur with summer tourism and fishing activities.
Transportation
Valdez is connected to the interior Alaska Highway system via the Richardson Highway. The Port of Valdez is a major freight and fuel hub, with regular service from Totem Ocean Trailer Express and other carriers. The Valdez Airport provides scheduled commercial service via Ravn Alaska and supports extensive general aviation, including flightseeing and heli-skiing operations. The Alaska Marine Highway system's ferry, the MV Aurora, provides seasonal service to Prince William Sound communities like Cordova.
Culture and recreation
The city hosts the annual Valdez Gold Rush Days festival and the extreme skiing competition, the World Extreme Skiing Championships. Cultural institutions include the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive and the Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum. Outdoor activities are paramount, with exceptional opportunities for kayaking in Prince William Sound, hiking on trails like the Valdez Goat Trail, and viewing wildlife such as sea otters and humpback whales. It is a world-renowned destination for heli-skiing and backcountry skiing in the Chugach Mountains.
Category:Cities in Alaska Category:Port cities in the United States Category:Populated places on the Gulf of Alaska