1955 Map of Meade River A-5

About this map

Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4 defines this Arctic landscape during the mid-1950s, a period characterized by strategic exploration in the far north. The terrain is dominated by a complex network of thaw lakes and waterways, most notably the winding Avalik River and its tributary, Avalitkok Creek. Surveyed by the Army Map Service, the map highlights the utilitarian transport methods of the era, recording a Winter Trail and several Tractor Trails that provided the only overland access across the marshy tundra. These markings indicate the specific routes used for heavy equipment transport and seasonal supply lines before permanent infrastructure reached this part of the North Slope.