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1951 Map of Howard Pass

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Howard Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1952
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1952

About this map

Howard Hills and the central northern slopes of the Brooks Range define this high-latitude survey, conducted during a period of intense federal interest in Arctic resources. Much of the northern territory is encompassed by the Naval Petroleum Reserve No 4, reflecting the strategic energy priorities of the early Cold War era. The drainage patterns are meticulously documented, showing the headwaters of the Colville River and the Noatak River flowing in opposite directions from the continental divide.

Remote water bodies such as Liberator Lake, Tukuto Lake, and the expansive Feniak Lake provide the only major landmarks in a landscape characterized by complex ridge systems like Liberator Ridge and Monument Ridge. Notable peaks such as Smith Mountain and Mt Bupto stand above a network of glacial rivers, including the Ipnavik River and the Etivluk River, which served as primary corridors for early reconnaissance and geological study.