2016 Map of Noatak C-5 NW

About this map

The coastal settlement of Kivalina sits at the edge of this Arctic landscape, where the Wulik River meets the expansive Chukchi Sea. This 2016 survey illustrates a delicate environment of low-lying wetlands and shallow water bodies, including Kaglugrak Deep and Kograk Deep to the north. A significant portion of the map is defined by the Singigrak Spit, a narrow landform that separates the open sea from Imikruk Lagoon, providing a vital geographical buffer for the inland tundra. The intricate network of surface water, from the Nuyakaglik Lakes to Kikiktauralik Lake, suggests a complex hydrologic system typical of this northern latitude, where even minor elevation changes dictate the flow of Imikruk Cr. This record is essential for understanding the shifting relationship between the shoreline and the community in one of the most dynamic coastal regions of the Northwest Arctic Borough.