1955 Map of Selawik D-1

About this map

Waring Mountains dominate the northern terrain of this mid-century survey, giving way to a vast, water-rich basin in the south. The landscape is defined by the drainage patterns of the Nuleargowik River and the Ikagvik River, which wind through an intricate network of wetlands and small lakes. Based on aerial photography from 1955 and 1957, this map illustrates the complex hydrology of the Arctic wilderness before significant modern infrastructure reached this part of the Northwest Arctic region. The lack of roads or established trails highlights the reliance on these river corridors for navigation and subsistence. The transition from the high ridges of the mountains to the saturated lowlands provides a clear view of the geographic barriers that have shaped movement and land use throughout the era.