1970 Map of Bettles C-4

About this map

The Koyukuk River dominates this interior Alaska landscape, winding through a complex network of wetlands and seasonal watercourses. By the early 1970s, the terrain south of the main river channel is characterized by an intricate web of oxbows and meanders along the South Fork Koyukuk River. To the east, the sprawling Flats are dotted with numerous unnamed ponds and small lakes, highlighting the low-lying, watery nature of this subarctic region. Evidence of human presence is sparse, centered primarily on a small cluster of Cabins located near the confluence of the river systems. North of the river, the elevation rises slightly, drained by tributaries such as Peavey Creek and Howzerah Creek, which flows from Howzerah Lake. Significant water bodies like Minnkokut Lake and the South Fork Fish Creek further define the drainage patterns of this unpopulated wilderness.