2016 Map of Barrow A-2 NW

About this map

Beaufort Sea waters meet the fractured coastline of the North Slope in this detailed geographic study. The map documents a fragile coastal interface where the Elson Lagoon is shielded from the open ocean by a chain of barrier features, including Cooper Island, Martin Island, and the Plover Islands. This littoral zone is defined by low-lying wetlands and significant coastal landmarks such as Kachiksuk Bluffs and Christie Point. To the south, the landscape transitions into a vast wetland plain dominated by features like Reindeer Lake, illustrating the complex hydrology of the Arctic tundra. The maritime passage at Sanigaruak Pass highlights the navigable breaks in the barrier islands that are critical for local movement between the lagoon and the sea. This record captures the precise positions of these shifting shorelines and islands during the early twenty-first century.