1955 Map of Point Lay D-1

About this map

Kasegaluk Lagoon and the coastal barrier of the North Slope dominate this 1955 topographic study. The landscape is defined by the winding paths of the Utukok River in the northeast and the Kokolik River in the south, both of which demonstrate the dramatic meandering patterns typical of Arctic coastal plains. Between these major arteries, the terrain is a complex network of thaw lakes and smaller drainages like Kugachiak Creek and Tungak Creek. This map, based on aerial photography from the mid-1950s, documents the undisturbed hydrology of the region before significant modern development. The absence of roads or permanent structures across this vast expanse of tundra highlights the isolation of this corner of Alaska, where the natural movement of water across sand bars and through permafrost-driven lake systems remains the primary architectural force of the land.