1955 Map of Selawik D-2

About this map

The Waring Mountains dominate this mid-century Alaskan landscape, providing a high-relief backdrop to the complex drainage systems of the Northwest Arctic. This 1955 survey captures a roadless wilderness where water defines the only navigable corridors. To the north, the Kobuk River flows across a wide basin, while the southern reaches are shaped by the meandering Fish River and Tagagawik River. The map is punctuated by specific geodetic markers, such as VABM 1750 Elwood and VABM 1368 Sam, which served as the primary terrestrial reference points for early aerial photogrammetric mapping. The dense concentration of wetlands and small tributaries like Blagorod Creek illustrates the permafrost-driven hydrology characteristic of the region before significant modern climate shifts or environmental changes.