1955 Map of Barrow A-3

About this map

Lake Tusikvoak dominates this Arctic landscape within the Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4, representing the complex hydrography of the North Slope in the mid-1950s. The map illustrates a coastal environment where the Beaufort Sea meets the intricate systems of Elson Lagoon and Iko Bay. This survey reflects a period of specialized transportation in the Far North, marking a Winter Trail and a Tractor Trail that navigate the frozen terrain between landmarks like Scott Point and Ross Point. The northern edge is defined by the Plover Islands, including Cooper Island, which act as a barrier between the lagoon and the open sea. Numerous smaller water bodies like Reindeer Lake and Avak Creek fill the thaw-lake plains, providing a detailed record of the shoreline before decades of coastal erosion and permafrost changes.