Umiat (OO-mee-yat) is an

unincorporated community An unincorporated area is a region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Widespread unincorporated communities and areas are a distinguishing feature of the United States and Canada. Most other countries of the world either have ...

in North Slope Borough, Alaska, United States. It is located on the Colville River, 140 miles southwest of

Deadhorse Deadhorse is an unincorporated community located within the CDP of Prudhoe Bay in North Slope Borough, Alaska, United States, along the North Slope near the Arctic Ocean. The town consists mainly of facilities for the workers and companies that ...

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 ...

. 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 An air base (sometimes referred to as a military air base, military airfield, military airport, air station, naval air station, air force station, or air force base) is an aerodrome used as a military base by a military force for the operation ...

, 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 Utqiagvik ( ik, Utqiaġvik; , , formerly known as Barrow ()) is the borough seat and largest city of the North Slope Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. Located north of the Arctic Circle, it is one of the northernmost cities and towns in th ...

on average. In 2009 Governor Parnell budgeted for a proposed road to Umiat branching off of the

Dalton Highway The James W. Dalton Highway, usually referred to as the Dalton Highway (and signed as Alaska Route 11), is a road in Alaska. It begins at the Elliott Highway, north of Fairbanks, and ends at Deadhorse (an unincorporated community within the ...

. Umiat has become a center in the summer for research by the BLM and

USGS The United States Geological Survey (USGS), formerly simply known as the Geological Survey, is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, ...

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, g ...

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, Taco ...

, 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 An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial air transport. Airports usually consists of a landing area, which comprises an aerially accessible open space including at least one operationally active surfa ...

located in Umiat.. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective November 15, 2012.

References

* * {{Authority control Unincorporated communities in North Slope Borough, Alaska Unincorporated communities in Alaska