Valdez is a city at the head of Port Valdez on Prince William Sound. It is the southern terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and the northernmost ice-free port in North America, with 3,985 residents at the 2020 census.[1]
| Population | 3,985 (2020) |
|---|---|
| Incorporated | 11 Jun 1901 |
| Pipeline construction | 1975–1977 |
| Average snowfall | 325.3 in per year (1991–2020) |
History
Spanish explorer Salvador Fidalgo named the port in 1790 for the Spanish naval minister Antonio Valdés y Fernández Bazán. The town grew after the Richardson Highway linked it to Fairbanks in 1910.[1]
1964 earthquake
The Good Friday earthquake triggered an underwater landslide and a 30-foot tsunami that collapsed a freight dock and killed 32 people; no one died in the town itself. Residents relocated about four miles away, and the Army Corps of Engineers moved 54 buildings by truck.[1]
Pipeline terminus and snow
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, built from 1975 to 1977, ends at an oil terminal at Valdez that loads crude onto tankers. Valdez averages 325.3 inches of snow a year (1991–2020), making it among the snowiest cities in the United States.[1]
FAQs
What is Valdez known for? It is the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and a very snowy port city.
Why was Valdez moved? The 1964 earthquake destroyed the original townsite, and residents relocated about four miles away.
How much snow does Valdez get? About 325 inches a year on average.
Sources
Key facts
- Population 3,985 (2020)
- Relocated after 1964
- 325 in snowfall
Quick checkWhat does Valdez terminate?Show answer
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Valdez, Alaska. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue