1970 Map of Beechey Point A-2 NW

About this map

The braided channels of the Sagavanirktok River dominate this 1970 orthophotomap of Alaska’s North Slope, showing the complex aquatic landscape just as industrial exploration began to reshape the region. The imagery reveals a mosaic of thermokarst lakes and tundra wetlands, providing a precise visual record of the land surface before extensive development. Early energy infrastructure is evidenced by the Delta State No 1 and Kadler State No 1 sites, which represent the initial footprint of state-managed mineral interests in the Arctic. Aviation and seasonal transport were essential for accessing these remote locations, documented here by the Coastal Landing Strip, the Kadler Landing Strip, and a designated Winter Trail. This survey captures a specific moment in the evolution of the Alaskan frontier where traditional wilderness and modern extraction began to converge.