1955 Map of Teshekpuk B-5

About this map

The Topagoruk River meanders through an intricate landscape of permafrost lakes and marshland in this 1955 survey of the Arctic Coastal Plain. Situated entirely within Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4, the map reveals a wilderness shaped by extreme hydrology and early resource exploration. Localized landmarks like Lue, Topa, and Clay appear alongside an extensive Tractor Trail that cuts across the lake-dotted terrain. This network of trails is a primary indicator of mid-century activity in the region, likely supporting geological and petroleum surveys conducted by the Army Map Service and the Geological Survey. The dense concentration of water bodies illustrates the saturated nature of the North Slope during the brief thaw season, providing a detailed record of the physical geography before modern infrastructure or name changes affected this remote Alaskan interior.