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1959 Map of Yakutat B-3

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Yakutat B-3
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1963
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1963

About this map

The Brabazon Range dominates the eastern portion of this coastal landscape, where the Yakutat Glacier and Chamberlain Glacier feed into a complex network of glacial meltwater. The transition from the high peaks to the Gulf of Alaska is marked by the expansive Harlequin Lake, which drains through the strikingly named Dangerous River. This 1959 survey reveals the intricate hydrography of the Tongass National Forest, showing a labyrinth of braided channels including the Italio River and Akwe River as they snake through lowland flats toward the sea.

Evidence of human activity is sparse but specific, noted by a lone Cabin and a Tractor Trail running parallel to the shoreline. These features suggest the seasonal movements of hunters, researchers, or local residents navigating the dynamic terrain between the mountains and the coast. The map serves as a vital record of the shifting ice and water before the accelerated glacial retreats of later decades, preserving the exact layout of drainage basins like Akwe Lake and the Antlen River.