F15PS00018 _Section_J-7 _Community_Information.pdf

Community Information

General Overview

Soldotna

1st Class City in the Kenai Peninsula Borough

All

Community Details

Area Type

Community

Current Population

4,284

Population Comment

2013 DCCED Certified Estimate

Pronunciation/Other Names

(soul daht' nuh)

Community's Judicial District

Recording District

Kenai

Census Designated Place (CDP)

Yes

Borough/Census Area FIPS Code

Place FIPS

71640

Geography and Climate

Location

Soldotna is on the Kenai Peninsula, 150 highway miles south of Anchorage, at the junction of the

Sterling and Kenai Spur Highways. It lies 10 miles inland from Cook Inlet and borders the Kenai

River.

Climate

Winter temperatures range from 6 to 24 °F; summers range from 45 to 66 °F. Average annual precipitation is 17 inches.

Community Map Available

No http://commerce.alaska.gov/cra/DCRAExternal/community/Detail/1d198cdc-d747-4b4e-8785-ad041e1be428 http://commerce.alaska.gov/cra/DCRAExternal/community/Details/1d198cdc-d747-4b4e-8785-ad041e1be428 http://commerce.alaska.gov/cra/DCRAExternal/community/Details/1d198cdc-d747-4b4e-8785-ad041e1be428

Latitude

60.4878

Longitude

-151.0583

Sq Mi Land

6.90

Sq Mi Water

0.50

History and Culture

History

The peninsula has historically been the home of Kenaitze Indians and was developed by non-

Natives for its rich resources, including fish, timber, and oil. Soldotna was named for a nearby stream. The name comes either from the Russian word for "soldier" or a Native word meaning

"stream fork." The first homesteaders were World War II veterans who were given a 90-day preference over non-veterans in selecting and filing for property in 1947. That same year, the

Sterling Highway right-of-way was constructed from Cooper Landing to Kenai. Soldotna was the site of the bridge crossing the Kenai River. A post office opened in 1949, with stores and a community center shortly thereafter. Soldotna continued to develop because of its strategic location at the Sterling-Kenai Spur Highway junction. In 1957, oil was discovered in the Swanson

River region, bringing new growth and development. Soldotna was incorporated as a city in 1960.

Culture

The Kenai River offers top trophy king salmon fishing during June and July. A 97 pound 4 ounce world-record king salmon was taken from these waters in 1985, and catching kings of over 60 pounds is not uncommon here. The Central Peninsula Sports Center provides an ice rink, racquetball courts, weight room, and meeting facilities.

Federally Recognized Tribe

No

Facilities, Utilities, and Health Care

Municipal Facilities & Utilities

Piped Water, Piped Sewer, Police, Animal Control, Airport, Sports Center/Ice Arena, Library, Parks, Roads, Campgrounds, Visitors Information Center, Soldotna Community Memorial Park

Economy

Subsistence

No

Number of Commercial Fishing Permit Holders

Number of Commercial Fishing Permits Issued http://commerce.alaska.gov/cra/DCRAExternal/community/Details/1d198cdc-d747-4b4e-8785-ad041e1be428

CDQ Participant

No

Gallon of Heating Fuel

Gallon of Gasoline

Local Labor Market Info URL http://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/alari/index.cfm?r=2&b=12&p=297&goplace=go

Transportation

Transportation

The Soldotna Municipal Airport provides facilities for charter services and local air traffic. The nearby Kenai Municipal Airport, located 10 miles away, offers scheduled flights and float plane facilities. Seaplanes can also land at Mackeys Lakes. There are four additional private landing strips in Soldotna and a heliport for medical emergencies at Central Peninsula General Hospital.

The Sterling Highway provides access to Alaska's road system. While Soldotna has an airport, there are no regular commercial flights available between Soldotna and Anchorage.

Harbor/Dock

No

State Ferry

No

Cargo Barge

No

Road Connection

Yes

Coastal

Yes

Legislative Districts

Miscellaneous Details

ACC_Links http://directory.soldotnachamber.com/list http://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/alari/index.cfm?r=2&b=12&p=297&goplace=go http://commerce.alaska.gov/cra/DCRAExternal/community/Details/1d198cdc-d747-4b4e-8785-ad041e1be428 http://directory.soldotnachamber.com/list