1955 Map of Sagavanirktok D-3

About this map

Sagavanirktok River dominates this Arctic landscape, its braided channels and vast gravel bars winding through the North Slope. Originally mapped in 1955 and updated with 1975 aerial photography, the sheet documents a specific moment of transition in the Alaskan wilderness before extensive infrastructure developments. To the east of the river, the Franklin Bluffs rise as a prominent topographical landmark, providing a stark vertical contrast to the surrounding tundra. This survey also records isolated points of interest such as Greta and Bruce, which serve as critical markers for navigation or research in an area largely devoid of permanent settlements or roads. The terrain is characterized by intricate drainage patterns and small lakes that hint at the complex permafrost hydrology typical of this high-latitude region.