1970 Map of Beechey Point A-4 NE

About this map

The Kuparuk River and Tulugayuk River dominate this 1970 orthophotomap of the North Slope, revealing a complex landscape of thermokarst lakes and braided water channels during the peak of the Arctic summer. This specific edition, produced from aerial photography, captures the era of early oil exploration in northern Alaska, marked by the presence of Placid Et Al State No. 1. Unlike traditional topographic maps, this imagery-based study provides a direct view of the surface conditions, showing the intricate drainage patterns near landmarks like Hurl and Fresh. The reliance on a Winter Trail for transport highlights the seasonal nature of movement across this permafrost environment, where land lines remain largely unsurveyed by the Bureau of Land Management.