1956 Map of Howard Pass

About this map

Howard Pass serves as the central crossing point in this mid-century survey of the Arctic wilderness, where the Brooks Range meets the vast drainage systems of the north. Much of the northern half of the territory is defined by the Naval Petroleum Reserve No 4, reflecting the era's strategic focus on energy resources. The landscape is a network of unnamed and named water bodies including the large Desperation Lake and Feniak Lake, which feed the southern-flowing Anisak River. To the north, the Colville River and its tributaries like Kiligwa River carve through prominent ridges such as Liberator Ridge and Monument Ridge. This map illustrates a transition between the high peaks of the De Long Mountains and the lower rolling hills, capturing a remote region through aerial photogrammetry before extensive modern modification.