2016 Map of Noatak A-1 SW

About this map

Noatak National Preserve encompasses much of this riverine landscape, where the shifting hydrology of the Arctic wilderness is recorded in intricate detail. The massive Noatak River dominates the western portion of the sheet, carving a wide path through a mosaic of wetlands and braided channels. This 2016 survey illustrates the dynamic nature of northern watercourses, where features like Kinuk Island sit amidst a complex network of seasonal sloughs and ponds. Farther east, the Little Noatak Slough meanders through the flats, defining the drainage patterns that have shaped this region for generations. The lack of permanent structures or roads reflects the remote character of the Northwest Arctic, where the environment remains dictated by the cycles of the river and the protected status of the surrounding preserve.