2016 Map of Noatak A-3 SW

About this map

Cape Krusenstern National Monument dominates this coastal landscape where the waters of Kotzebue Sound meet the northwestern Alaskan shoreline. This 2016 survey highlights a complex environment of lagoons and tidal waterways, most notably the expansive Krusenstern Lagoon and the smaller Aukulak Lagoon to the southeast. The Situkuyok River winds through a low-lying tundra landscape defined by intricate wetland patterns and subtle elevation changes. Along the southern edge of the terrestrial landmass, the Kilangnak Bluff provides a distinct topographic break before the terrain gives way to the open sound. The lack of roads or permanent settlements in this area underscores its protected status and the preservation of a landscape that has supported seasonal subsistence activities for thousands of years, offering researchers a look at an undeveloped Arctic coastal ecosystem.