1988 Map of Cordova A-4

About this map

The Copper River delta dominates this coastal environment, where the river's massive sediment load meets the open waters of the Gulf of Alaska. This 1988 map documents a dynamic shoreline defined by shifting tidal flats and sandbars, including Kokinhenik Bar and Grass Island Bar. The transition from riverine outflow to the Pacific Ocean is marked by significant environmental protections, as much of the area falls within the State Critical Habitat Area. These boundaries, along with the Chugach National Forest Boundary, illustrate the intersection of wildlife conservation and federally managed lands in the late twentieth century. With no roads or trails recorded on this portion of the delta, the map preserves a view of a largely untouched coastal wilderness where the river's natural hydrology remains the primary architect of the landscape.