1955 Map of Teshekpuk B-4

About this map

Meandering arctic waterways dominate this 1955 landscape within the bounds of Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4. The map illustrates a complex network of thaw lakes and braided streams, most notably the Chipp River, the Ikpikpuk River, and the Oumalik River. These rivers snake through the North Slope, revealing the dynamic hydrology of the permafrost environment during the mid-century period. Human presence is marked primarily by transportation routes adapted for the environment, including a significant Tractor Trail and an additional Trail cutting across the lake-strewn plains. These paths represent the early post-war infrastructure used for resource exploration and transit in one of the most northern reaches of Alaska.