1955 Map of Shungnak D-5

About this map

The Waring Mountains dominate the northwestern horizon of this Arctic landscape, where high ridgelines give way to a complex network of lowland wetlands. In the mid-1950s, this region of the Northwest Arctic was characterized by its intricate drainage patterns, most notably the meandering course of Kichuvak Creek and the broad waters of Egaupak Lake. The surveyor's presence is etched into the terrain via numerous vertical angle bench marks, such as VABM 2112 Waring and VABM 557 Wood, which provided the essential control points for mapping this roadless expanse. This survey reveals a landscape defined by thousands of small ponds and thaw lakes, illustrating the dynamic permafrost-driven hydrology of the Alaskan interior during the postwar era.