1990 Map of Ambler River D-5

About this map

Noatak National Preserve and the Noatak Wilderness dominate this Arctic landscape, representing a significant moment in land conservation following the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The intricate hydrology of the Brooks Range is mapped here through the winding course of the Noatak River as it receives major tributaries including the Cutler River and the Imelyak River. This provisional survey, compiled from aerial photography, captures the drainage patterns of remote waterways like Kunyagnak Creek and Kalaich Creek before modern digital mapping. A singular location label, Natmotirak, stands out among the unnamed peaks and kettle ponds, indicating the enduring presence of indigenous naming conventions in a region defined by its lack of road infrastructure or permanent settlements.