1955 Map of Demarcation Point D-2

About this map

The Beaufort Sea coastline of northern Alaska, as it appeared during the mid-1950s, is defined here by a complex system of barrier islands and shallow lagoons. This maritime landscape within the Arctic National Wildlife Range shows a delicate shoreline where the Siku Reef separates the open sea from protected waters like Icy Lagoon and Egaksrak Lagoon. The map illustrates the hydrological patterns of several major watercourses, including the Kongakut River and its expansive Delta, alongside the Aichteilik River and Egaksrak River. These rivers deposit sediment into the lagoons, creating a shifting environment accessible only through narrow openings like Siku Entrance and Egaksrak Entrance. This 1955 survey provides an essential look at the undeveloped coastal geography of the North Slope before significant modern shifts in the Arctic environment.