1984 Map of Howard Pass D-5

About this map

The National Petroleum Reserve In Alaska dominates this 1980s landscape, illustrating a remote arctic wilderness defined by an intricate network of waterways and high-latitude topography. The Colville River and Kiligwa River serve as primary drainage systems, carving through the North Slope terrain alongside smaller tributaries like Panic Creek and Jubilee Creek. Human presence is minimal and transient, evidenced only by a sparse Tractor Trail cutting across the northern reaches near Brady. The survey identifies key high points such as Liberator Ridge and the Nuka landmark, which overlook the Migrant Lakes to the southwest. This map records the region's hydrography and elevation before modern changes, preserving the original nomenclature of features like Strident Creek and Mitten Creek within this massive federal reserve.