Tanana Valley is the broad river valley of the Tanana River in Interior Alaska, home to Fairbanks and Delta Junction. It has a subarctic climate and was designated for farming in the late 1970s and early 1980s, making it the state’s best-known agricultural district in the Interior.[1]
| River | Tanana River |
|---|---|
| Delta Junction population (2020) | 918 |
| Delta Junction distance | About 99 mi south of Fairbanks |
| Bison range | 90,000 acres |
| Climate | Subarctic; record low −63°F at Delta Junction |
| Farming designation | Late 1970s–early 1980s |
Delta Junction and the highway
Delta Junction, in the Tanana River valley about 99 miles south of Fairbanks, is where the Alaska Highway, about 1,420 miles from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, meets the Richardson Highway. A telegraph station was established there in 1904, and in 1928 twenty-three bison were brought from Montana’s National Bison Range.[1]
Agriculture
The valley was designated for farming in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Barley Project failed when the planned rail link never materialised, and barley, potatoes, carrots and wheat are grown today with limited commercial success. The area is also known for yak, bison and elk, and Alaska Range Dairy is the only dairy in Alaska. The 90,000-acre Delta Junction Bison Range, established in the early 1980s and managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, keeps the herd at several hundred animals through annual hunting permits.[1]
Military and economy
The area supported Lend-Lease aid to the Soviet Union in World War II, and Allen Field was built about 5 miles south of Delta Junction for that purpose. Fort Greely was built after the war for Cold War cold-weather training, was placed on the 1995 base closure list and later reopened for a missile defence mission. The economy rests on military operations, mining including the Pogo Gold Mine, agriculture and tourism.[1]
Climate
The climate is subarctic. Winter lows commonly reach −45 to −50°F, and the official record low at Delta Junction is −63°F, set on 30 January 1947.[1]
FAQs
What is the Tanana Valley known for? Interior Alaska farming and communities such as Fairbanks and Delta Junction.
What crops grow there? Barley, potatoes, carrots and wheat.
Where does the Alaska Highway end? At Delta Junction, where it meets the Richardson Highway.
Sources
Key facts
- Bison range 90,000 acres
- Farming from late 1970s
Quick checkWhat is the only dairy in Alaska?Show answer
Alaska Range Dairy
Sources
- Wikipedia. Delta Junction, Alaska. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-13)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 13, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue