1955 Map of Meade River B-5

About this map

Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4 encompasses this entire expanse of the North Slope, where a complex network of thousands of oriented thaw lakes dominates the permafrost landscape. The hydrology is defined by the winding course of Kolipsun Creek, which meanders through a dense cluster of water bodies and marshy lowlands. Human presence is evidenced primarily by transportation corridors, specifically a network of seasonal routes including a designated Winter Trail and several other segments labeled simply as Trail. These paths represent the essential overland connections across the tundra before modern infrastructure. The map reflects a mid-century period of federal land management and strategic energy exploration, captured through photogrammetric aerial surveys that reveal the intricate, lace-like patterns of the Arctic coastal plain.