1971 Map of Sagavanirktok B-3

About this map

Sagwon stands as a focal point in this remote North Slope landscape, situated along the massive braided channels of the Sagavanirktok River. This 1970s survey illustrates a region defined by seasonal infrastructure, where a Winter Road, Winter Trail, and a critical Landing Strip facilitate movement across the tundra. The complex hydrology of the Arctic coastal plain is evident in the confluence of the Ivishak River and the Echooka River, which meander through a vast network of wetlands and small lakes. Terrain features such as Garo and Hak rise above the alluvial floor, providing rare relief in an area primarily shaped by permafrost and shifting riverbeds. The map captures a specific moment in the development of Alaska's northern infrastructure, recording the essential transport routes used before permanent highway systems were fully established in the high Arctic.