Location and Climate
Stony River is located on the north bank of the Kuskokwim
River, 2 miles north of its junction with the Stony River. The village
is 100 miles east of Aniak, 185 miles northeast of Bethel and 225 miles
west of Anchorage. The community lies at approximately 61.783060 degrees
North Latitude and -156.588060 degrees West Longitude. (Sec. 31, T020N,
R040W, Seward Meridian.) Stony River is located in the Kuskokwim
Recording District. The area encompasses 3.6 square miles of land and
1.3 square miles of water. The climate is continental with
temperatures ranging from -58 to 90. Snowfall averages 85 inches, with
total precipitation of 22 inches per year. High winds often cause flight
delays in the fall and winter. The Kuskokwim is ice-free from mid-June
through October.
History, Culture and Demographics
Also known as Moose Village and Moose Creek, it began as a
trading post and riverboat landing to supply mining operations to the
north. The first trading post opened in 1930, and a post office was
established in 1935. Area Natives used these facilities, but it wasn’t
until the early 1960s that families established year-round residency and
a school was constructed. Approximately 75 people lived in the village
in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. A federally recognized tribe is located in
the community — the Village of Stony River. According to the 2010
Census, the population of the community consists of 54 people, with
83.33 percent of the population Alaska Native, or part Native. The
village is a mixed population of residents with ties to Athabascan
Indians and Yup’ik Eskimos. Residents depend heavily on subsistence
foods. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 25 and
vacant housing units numbered 6. Vacant housing units used only
seasonally numbered 1. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 13
residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 38.1
percent, although 73.47 percent of all adults were not in the work
force. The median household income was $20,714, per capita income was
$5,469 and 38.67 percent of residents were living below the poverty
level.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
Water is derived from individual wells; the school, washeteria
and clinic each have a well. Septic tanks and some outhouses are used
for sewage disposal. Residents are reliant on the washeteria for laundry
and bathing, since no homes are plumbed. Feasibility and engineering of
a piped water system was completed in 1995, including individual septic
tanks for all homes. Funds have not been established to construct a
community system. The school uses a septic tank/drainfield system. There
is a landfill a half mile from the school. Electricity is provided by
Middle Kuskokwim Electric Cooperative. There is one school located in
the community, attended by 13 students. Local hospitals or health
clinics include Stony River Clinic (907-537-3225) and Clara Morgan
Sub-Regional Clinic (907-675-4556) in Aniak. Stony River is classified
as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 7A in the Yukon
Kuskokwim Region. Emergency services, provided by a health aide, have
river and air access.
Current Population: 36 (2017 DCCED Certified Population)
Incorporation Type: Unincorporated
Borough Located In : Unorganized
Taxes: No taxing authority
Contact Information
Village of Stony River
P.O. Box SRV
Stony River, AK 99577
Phone: 907-537-3253
Fax: 907-537-3254
