2013 Map of Fairbanks D-2 SW

About this map

Fairbanks and its surrounding northern reach are defined by the braided channels of the Tanana River and the winding Chena River during the early 2010s. The landscape is a mix of dense urban development and vast riverine islands like Loper Island, Morgan Island, and Haines Islands. To the west, the residential expansion onto Chena Ridge and the historic Gold Hill area contrasts with the industrial and transportation hub near Garden Island. This era shows the mature integration of the Alaska Railroad and the massive complex of the University of Alaska Fairbanks overlooking Smith Lake and Ballaine Lake. Significant infrastructure, including the Fairbanks International Airport and the Ruth Burnett Sport Fish Hatchery, highlights the city's role as a regional anchor. Water management and drainage are evident in features such as the Chena Ester Ditch and the sloughs that segment the lower valley floor.