1955 Map of Point Hope B-1

About this map

The Kukpuk River and Ipewik River define the hydrography of this Arctic coastal plain landscape, winding through a series of isolated mountain ranges and foothills in Northwest Alaska. Surveyed by the Army Map Service in the mid-1950s, the terrain is characterized by the Lisburne Hills and the prominent Shakpik Mountain to the west. The area's geological character is hinted at by features such as Phosphorite Creek, while the drainages of Saligvik Valley and Kakpeyak River illustrate the complex watershed patterns of the North Slope. Between the major river systems lie the South Maktak Hills and Maktak Mountain, landmarks that served as vital navigation points for those traversing the tundra before modern infrastructure. This 1:63,360 scale study provides a detailed record of the landforms and indigenous-named watercourses as they were documented during the Cold War era.