2017 Map of Sagavanirktok D-5 SW

About this map

Permafrost and seasonal wetlands dominate this remote section of the North Slope, revealing the intricate water systems that define the Arctic coastal plain. The landscape is organized by the Public Land Survey System, specifically within T6n R9e, T6n R10e, T5n R9e, and T5n R10e. This survey emphasizes the delicate hydrology of the region, where countless unnamed ponds and saturated ground create a complex network of thermokarst lakes. The lack of named settlements or roads underscores the wilderness character of the borough, making this a clear record of the undisturbed northern tundra during the early twenty-first century. For researchers of the Arctic environment, the detailed hydrography provides a baseline for studying shifting shorelines and wetland patterns in this vast, roadless expanse.