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1951 Map of Cordova D-8

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Cordova D-8
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1976
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1976

About this map

Tatitlek and Ellamar anchor the coastal landscape of Prince William Sound in this early 1950s survey. The map details the intricate shoreline of Valdez Arm and Port Fidalgo, where maritime activity is evidenced by the presence of a Seaplane Base near Virgin Bay. The interior is defined by sharp elevation changes, notably at Mt Freemantle and Ellamar Mountain, while Bligh Island sits prominently between the Tatitlek Narrows and the open waters of the sound.

Local navigation and subsistence patterns are reflected in the labeling of The Narrows and the proximity of Turner Lake to the coast. This map documents a period before major modern infrastructure, showing a network of Trails connecting the small coastal settlements. The inclusion of Bligh Reef and numerous hydrographic soundings suggests the importance of these waters for both local transit and larger vessels entering the arm.