1951 Map of New Lake SE

About this map

Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge dominates the southern portion of this landscape, where the northern waters of Lake Mattamuskeet meet a complex network of drainage and transport infrastructure. The area is defined by the rigid geometry of the Intracoastal Waterway Alligator River-Pungo River Canal, a critical artery for coastal shipping that cuts through the wetlands. This 1950s survey captures the region's managed hydrology, showing how the Florida Canal and Swindell Canal provide drainage for agricultural or conservation purposes between New Lake and the larger lake to the south. Near the waterway, noted ruins suggest earlier structures or industrial activity along the canal banks. Natural features like New Lake Fork and Head Lake Island provide contrast to the engineered landscape, illustrating the intersection of wild swamp and human-led water management in eastern North Carolina.