1955 Map of Harrison Bay A-3

About this map

Naval Petroleum Reserve No 4 dominates this 1955 survey of the Arctic coastal plain, a landscape defined by an intricate network of thaw lakes and meandering watercourses. The mighty Colville River sweeps through the southern portion of the quadrangle, carving significant landmarks like the Big Bend and the elevated terrain at Ocean Point. This mid-century military and geological assessment captures the region before extensive industrial infrastructure arrived, showing only a solitary Tractor Trail cutting through the tundra north of the Ublutuoch River. Geologists and researchers can trace the natural drainage patterns of Judy Creek and observe the prominent Bluff overlooking the riverbanks, providing a foundational record of this remote North Slope environment during the early years of modern Arctic exploration.