2020 Map of Marshall D-4 NW

About this map

The Kipungolak River and Nantok River dominate this portion of the Kusilvak Census Area, showcasing a landscape defined by an intricate network of waterways and wetlands. This 2020 U.S. Geological Survey topographic study illustrates the shifting, braided character of these subarctic river systems as they move through the vast alluvial plains. The Big River also traverses the eastern sections of the quadrangle, with its meandering path and numerous oxbow formations indicating a highly dynamic hydrologic environment. The lack of named settlements or man-made infrastructure on this sheet emphasizes the wilderness character of this region of Alaska, where the landscape is primarily organized by the Public Land Survey System boundaries such as t22n r77w and t21n r78w. For researchers, the map serves as a primary record of the hydrographic conditions of the late 2010s, capturing the specific alignment of riverbanks and sloughs before future seasonal cycles alter their courses.