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2017 Map of Harrison Bay B-1 NW

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Harrison Bay B-1 NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

The Colville River delta dominates this landscape on the northern edge of the North Slope, where the river's freshwater outflow meets the Beaufort Sea at Harrison Bay. The intricate network of braided waterways and alluvial deposits is anchored by large landforms such as Anachlik Island and Nuekshat Island. These islands, separated by the deep Kupigruak Channel, illustrate the shifting geography of one of the world's largest Arctic delta systems.

Helmericks Airport stands as the primary infrastructure point on this map, representing the critical role of bush aviation in navigating this roadless environment. The survey captures a moment in the early 21st century when these remote outposts remained essential for logistics and research. The lack of terrestrial roads emphasizes the reliance on the river and air for access to these coastal wetlands.