1953 Map of Mount Katmai C-5

About this map

Katmai National Monument encompasses this vast aquatic landscape in Southwest Alaska, defined by a series of interconnected glacial lakes and high mountain peaks. Mount La Gorce dominates the central peninsula, rising between the southern reaches of Lake Coville and the northern waters of Naknek Lake (Iliuk Arm). The map illustrates a complex network of waterways, including the island-dotted Bay of Islands and the long expanse of Lake Grosvenor. Photogrammetric methods from 1951 aerial surveys reveal a landscape where water and terrain are the primary features, as the margin notes no roads or trails existed in this area during the early 1950s. This survey records the shoreline configurations of Naknek Lake (North Arm) before significant modern environmental shifts, serving as a baseline for the region's wilderness character.