1971 Map of Sagavanirktok C-3

About this map

The Sagavanirktok River dominates this mid-1970s landscape, its braided channels weaving through a complex network of wetlands and small lakes on the North Slope. This specific survey documents a pivotal moment in Alaskas industrial history as The Trans-Alaska Pipeline (under construction) is shown paralleling the river corridor. The map reveals the logistical infrastructure required for Arctic resource extraction, including the Susie Oil Well and various Landing Strips that supported early exploration. Transportation across this remote terrain relied on seasonal pathways like the Winter Road and Winter Trail, reflecting the geographic challenges of the era. Geographic markers such as Beaver and Nora provide localized points of reference amidst the vast hydrologic patterns of the coastal plain.