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1956 Map of Ikpikpuk River

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Ikpikpuk River
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1988
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1988

About this map

The National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska defines the landscape of this mid-century survey, a remote stretch of the North Slope where the Arctic coastal plain meets the foothills. The terrain is characterized by a dense network of thermokarst lakes, including the Oumalik Lakes and Kolutak Lakes, which drain into the meandering courses of the Ikpikpuk River and Oumalik River.

Industrial exploration of the era is evident through numerous remote outposts, such as the Oumalik Test Well and Titaluk Test Well, often serviced by a seasonal Winter Trail or temporary landing strips. To the south, the topography shifts toward more defined ridges like Kimikpak Ridge and Knifeblade Ridge, marking the transition toward the Colville River corridor. Distinctive landmarks like Little Supreme Bluff and the Valley of the Willows provide unique geographical anchors in a territory primarily utilized for resource evaluation and subsistence.