1952 Map of Kantishna River A-5

About this map

The North Fork Kuskokwim River meanders through the northwest corner of this interior Alaskan landscape, creating a complex network of oxbow lakes and marshy wetlands in its floodplains. This 1952 topographic study, compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1954 multiplex aerial photography, captures the wilderness character of the region before significant modern development. Central to the quadrangle is the prominent massif of Haystack Mountain, which rises as a distinct landmark above the surrounding ridges and valleys. The map reveals an intricate drainage system with hundreds of unnamed small lakes and ponds, particularly dense in the lowlands surrounding the river's path, illustrating the hydrologic patterns of the Alaska-Fourth Judicial Division at mid-century.