An Annual Passage: Kobuk Ice Flowing Past Kotzebue

Jimmy Evak writes:

It is significant in that the Inupiat of Kotzebue, before they had running water, would gather some of the ice as it flowed past. They would get chunks, put it on tarps on the beach, let the salt water drain then carry it to their houses to clean 55 gallon drums. The drums would have a homemade spigot on the bottom and and cloth top to keep stuff out of their. Nowadays the Inupiat pay the City of Kotzebue for running water.