Lake Louise, Alaska

Lake Louise (Sasnuu’ Bene’ in Ahtna) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States. Although it is an isolated settlement and is close to Glennallen, it is considered part of the Anchorage, Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area like all other locations in the Mat-Su Borough. At the 2010 census the population was 46, down from 88 in 2000. The first recorded name of Lake Louise was Shosubenich, which means "great flat water with many islands". Later, Lake Louise was named Lake Adah after a girlfriend of Lieutenant Castner. Later Captain Edwin Glenn changed the name to Lake Louise in honor of his wife.[1] The U.S. Army established a recreation facility at the lake towards the end of World War II and built the first road into the area. Lake Louise road runs about 20 miles (32 km) from the Glenn Highway to the lake. There are still several dilapidated cabins at the "Army Point" campground, including one that was used for four days by General Dwight D. Eisenhower before he was president. The lake is also home to the Lake Louise State Recreation Area.

Lake Louise

Sasnuu’ Bene’
CDP
Location in Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the state of Alaska.
Lake Louise
Location within the state of Alaska
Coordinates: 62°17′4″N 146°33′25″W
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
BoroughMatanuska-Susitna
Government
 • Borough mayorVern Halter
 • State senatorMike Dunleavy (R)
 • State rep.George Rauscher (R)
Area
 • Total74.2 sq mi (192.3 km2)
 • Land47.9 sq mi (124.0 km2)
 • Water26.4 sq mi (68.3 km2)
Elevation
2,448 ft (746 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total46
 • Density0.62/sq mi (0.24/km2)
Time zoneUTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-8 (AKDT)
Area code(s)907
FIPS code02-42805
GNIS feature ID1865556

Geography

Lake Louise is located at 62°17′4″N 146°33′25″W (62.284498, -146.557029).[2] Lake Louise is located between four mountain ranges: The Wrangell, Talkeetna, Chugach and Alaska Ranges.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 74.2 square miles (192 km2), of which, 47.9 square miles (124 km2) of it is land and 26.4 square miles (68 km2) of it (35.53%) is water. There are many small islands at the south end of the lake, most of which have homes built on them. There are also several private resorts and marinas, and a state recreation area with campgrounds and a boat launch.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
200088—
201046−47.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[3]

Lake Louise first appeared on the 2000 U.S. Census as a census-designated place (CDP).

Lake Louise from a distance of about 5 miles (8.0 km)

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 88 people, 41 households, and 25 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1.8 people per square mile (0.7/km2). There were 255 housing units at an average density of 5.3/sq mi (2.1/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89.77% White and 10.23% Native American.

There were 41 households, out of which 17.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.5% were married couples living together, 2.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.64.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 17.0% under the age of 18, 1.1% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 46.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 114.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 135.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $5,000, and the median income for a family was $43,750. Males had a median income of $3,750 versus $0 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $11,057. There were no families and 56.7% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Recreation area

The Lake Louise State Recreation Area has a large campground, boat launch, and picnic areas, as well as a trail leading to the hilltop where the Army's original recreation area's cabins still stand, although in a state of severe disrepair. Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of wildlife, including the only known freshwater nesting site for cormorants, located on Bird Island. In the fall the Nelchina caribou herd passes through this area. The fishing in the lake is considered excellent, with a variety of freshwater fish, including lake trout and burbot.[5]

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake Louise
  2. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  3. "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. Lake Louise State Recreation Area Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
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