2020 Map of Lookout Ridge D-4 NE

About this map

The Avalik River meanders across this northern landscape, defining the hydrology of a region where water and permafrost shape the terrain. This 2020 U.S. Geological Survey topographic study focuses on the intricate drainage patterns near the Nigisaktuvik River in the northern reaches of the North Slope. The area is characterized by an expansive network of small lakes and ponds, typical of the Arctic coastal plain, where the shifting courses of Koulak Creek and various unnamed tributaries carve through the tundra. These watercourses were historically vital for seasonal movement and subsistence in the Arctic. The map detail highlights the lack of permanent human infrastructure, reflecting the preserved and remote character of these federal lands within the North Slope Borough.