2016 Map of Shungnak D-3 NW

About this map

The Kobuk River dominates this Arctic landscape, its massive meanders and oxbow lakes carving a complex path through the Northwest Arctic Borough. This 2016 survey documents the intricate hydrologic network where the Shungnak River and Cosmos Creek converge toward the main river valley. The terrain is defined by a dense concentration of wetlands and unnamed water bodies that sit between the river's active channel and the surrounding tributaries. Local drainages like Garland Cr, Sheshok Cr, and the Black River feed into this system, illustrating a wilderness landscape shaped almost entirely by seasonal water movement and shifting alluvial deposits. The map captures the remote character of these township and range divisions, where few human landmarks exist outside of the essential natural waterways that historically serve as the primary corridors for travel in the region.