Umiat (OO-mee-yat) is an
unincorporated community in
North Slope Borough, Alaska, United States.
It is located on the
Colville River, 140 miles southwest of
Deadhorse
Deadhorse is an unincorporated area, unincorporated community located within the Census-designated place, CDP of Prudhoe Bay in North Slope Borough, Alaska, North Slope Borough, Alaska, United States, along the Alaska North Slope, North Slope nea ...
in the
Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle is one of the two polar circles, and the most northerly of the five major circles of latitude as shown on maps of Earth. Its southern equivalent is the Antarctic Circle.
The Arctic Circle marks the southernmost latitude at w ...
. The town is not accessible by road or rail, only by air or river. In 1944, the Naval Oil Reserve was set up and it later became an
air force base, which is now closed. It is known as one of the coldest places in the US with its inland tundra climate, a rarity for North America. Yearly low temperatures run even colder than
Utqiaġvik, Alaska on average.
In 2009
Governor Parnell budgeted for a proposed road to Umiat branching off of the
Dalton Highway.
Umiat has become a center in the summer for research by the
BLM
BLM most commonly refers to:
* Black Lives Matter, an international anti-racism movement and organization
* Bureau of Land Management, a U.S. federal government agency
BLM may also refer to:
Organizations
* BLM (law firm), United Kingdom and ...
and
USGS concerning climate change. Research also goes on in the impact that development has on the Arctic tundra. As the
NPRA is managed by BLM, they watch the impact that the ice roads and ice-drilling pads have on plant and animal life in the area.
Umiat has no permanent residents, being a camp and fuel stop for aircraft and helicopters operating in the area. The camp is run by a locally owned company that provides oilfield services in the area, their crew consists in the summer of approximately 10 people who work on a two weeks on two weeks off schedule. At any given time, there are between 20 and 30 people lodged and fed there.
The camp operates from the middle of May to the middle of September. The camp has access to the internet, news and entertainment by satellite.
Accommodations are "
ATCO" units that are permanently placed; a cafeteria style kitchen is in one of the units.
Climate
Umiat has a
subarctic climate
The subarctic climate (also called subpolar climate, or boreal climate) is a climate with long, cold (often very cold) winters, and short, warm to cool summers. It is found on large landmasses, often away from the moderating effects of an ocean, ge ...
with long winters. February is the coldest month, a common trait on the
North Slope North Slope can refer to:
* Alaska North Slope, a region encompassing the northernmost part of the U.S. state of Alaska
* North Slope Borough, Alaska, a borough in Alaska whose boundaries roughly coincide with that of the region
* North Slope, Tac ...
, and average temperatures remain below until mid-April. Severe cold can persist well into spring; on April 5, 1995, the temperature fell to . Precipitation is irregular and snow has occurred in every month but July.
Transportation
Umiat Airport is a state owned, public use
airport located in Umiat.
[. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective November 15, 2012.]
References
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{{Authority control
Unincorporated communities in North Slope Borough, Alaska
Unincorporated communities in Alaska