2020 Map of Teshekpuk B-4 NE

About this map

The Ikpikpuk River and its intricate drainage network dominate this part of the North Slope, where the landscape is defined by a maze of wetlands and tundra ponds. This 2020 U.S. Geological Survey map documents the shifting hydrology of the Arctic coastal plain, showing the braided paths of the Chipp River and the Alaktak River as they move across a low-elevation terrain with very little relief. The mapping reflects the complex aquatic environment of the North Slope Borough, characterized by hundreds of small unnamed water bodies that sustain the region's unique ecology. The absence of roads or permanent structures emphasizes the environmental focus of the survey, capturing the natural state of these vast river systems in the early 21st century.