1985 Map of Ikpikpuk River D-4

About this map

The National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska dominates this landscape, characterized by an intricate network of wandering waterways and thaw lakes. The Oumalik River and Titaluk River meander through the center of the quadrangle, their oxbows and abandoned channels illustrating the dynamic nature of Arctic river systems. In the southwestern corner, the Oumalik Lakes cluster near the riverbanks, while the eastern edge is defined by the larger Ikpikpuk River. This 1980s-era documentation, derived from 1971 aerial photography, provides a record of the remote terrain before extensive modern infrastructure. Aside from a single Tractor Trail cutting across the western tundra, the map shows a wilderness almost entirely devoid of permanent human settlement, reflecting the specialized land management of the petroleum reserve during this period.