1985 Map of Shungnak B-6

About this map

The Selawik River meanders across this Northwest Arctic landscape, forming a complex network of oxbows and wetlands characteristic of the region's alluvial plains. This 1985 provisional study, based on 1971 aerial photography, captures the intricate hydrology of the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge before modern climate shifts significantly altered the permafrost-dependent drainage patterns. The convergence of the Tagagawik River and Ekiek Creek into the greater Selawik basin highlights a wilderness defined by water, where isolated Springs and shifting riverbeds serve as the primary landmarks. Positioned along the Kateel River Meridian, the map provides a foundational view of this Arctic ecosystem during a period of minimal human infrastructure, documenting the natural state of these vital Alaskan waterways.