1955 Map of Mt. Michelson D-5

About this map

The Canning River carves a distinct path through the eastern portion of this northern landscape, forming a natural boundary within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Based on 1955 photogrammetry, the terrain is characterized by a high concentration of small lakes and ponds in the north, giving way to more defined contour elevations as one moves south toward the foothills. This specific quadrangle, prepared by the Department of the Interior Geological Survey, illustrates a wilderness expanse devoid of permanent roads or structures at the time of the original photography. The map's data reveals the complex hydrology of the North Slope, where the intricate network of water bodies and the broad braided channel of the Canning River dominate the environmental character of the region during the mid-century period.