2014 Map of Wainwright A-2 SW

About this map

The low-lying Arctic coastal plain of the North Slope is defined by its complex network of seasonal drainages and thermokarst lakes. The Kaolak River flows through the southeastern corner of the quadrangle, serving as a primary hydrological feature in a landscape otherwise dominated by smaller tributary systems like Katrikorak Cr and Adrigon Cr. This 2014 survey illustrates the intricate pattern of standing water and wetlands that characterize the permafrost-underlain terrain between the Beaufort Sea and the foothills of the Brooks Range. The lack of man-made structures or improved roads highlights the wilderness character of the region, where topographical changes are subtle and the primary landmarks are the shifting banks of the river and its creeks.