Loading map...

1956 Map of Black River A-3

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Black River A-3
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Black River and its intricate tributaries dominate this mid-century Alaskan interior landscape, characterized by an expansive network of wetlands and meandering waterways. The Grayling Fork Black River joins the main branch amidst a labyrinth of oxbow lakes and marshes, signifying the complex drainage patterns of the Yukon-Koyukuk region. In a landscape nearly devoid of permanent infrastructure, the presence of Cabins along the riverbanks suggests the vital role of these watercourses for seasonal transit, trapping, or subsistence activities during the 1950s.

To the south, the terrain rises sharply toward Fanny Mountain, providing a stark contrast to the low-lying basin filled with named water bodies like Bear Mountain Lake and Big Duck Lake. Several smaller drainages, including Owl Creek, Dempsey Creek, and Low Creek, thread through the high ground to feed the central valley. This survey reflects a time before significant modern development, documenting the raw topography of the Alaskan wilderness as recorded by aerial photogrammetry.