Foundation Document OverviewCape Krusenstern National MonumentAlaska

Contact InformationFor more information about the Cape Krusenstern National Monument Foundation Document, contact: wear_webmail@nps.gov or (907) 442-3890 or write to: Superintendent, National Park Service, P.O. Box 1029, Kotzebue, AK 99752

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Significance statements express why Cape Krusenstern National Monument resources and values are important enough to merit national park unit designation. Statements of significance describe why an area is important within a global, national, regional, and systemwide context. These statements are linked to the purpose of the park unit, and are supported by data, research, and consensus. Significance statements describe the distinctive nature of the park and inform management decisions, focusing efforts on preserving and protecting the most important resources and values of the park unit.

Fundamental resources and values are those features, systems, processes, experiences, stories, scenes, sounds, smells, or other attributes determined to merit primary consideration during planning and management processes because they are essential to achieving the purpose of the park and maintaining its significance.

Cultural Resources: In cooperation with the Inupiaq people, Cape Krusenstern National Monument preserves, studies and interprets evidence of human migration from Asia and thousands of years of cultural adaptation in arctic Alaska.

• National Historic Landmark• Coastal Archeological Sites• Inland Archeological Sites• Ethnography• Museum Collections• Scientific Study• Education

Significance and Fundamental Resources and ValuesPurpose

The purpose of Cape Krusenstern national MonuMent is to preserve, study, and

interpret a sequential archeological record of human migration and adaptation, and to protect arctic ecosystems and

subsistence resources.

Geological Processes: Cape Krusenstern National Monument preserves a landscape supporting dynamic processes of coastal erosion, accretion, and aggradation in an arctic environment as exemplified by the formation of over 100 beach ridges containing a 5,000 year record of sequential human use.

• Geologic Record• Ongoing Process of Erosion, Accretion, and

Aggradation• Scientific Research and Monitoring• Education and Outreach

Fish, Wildlife and Habitat: Cape Krusenstern National Monument protects habitat for and populations of birds, fish, and other wildlife in an ecologically diverse coastal and upland ecosystem.

• Birds• Fish and Wildlife• Marine Mammals• Plant Communities• Research and Monitoring• Education and Outreach

Subsistence: Cape Krusenstern National Monument protects natural resources that provide the opportunity for local rural Alaska residents to engage in customary and traditional subsistence use.

• Healthy Aquatic Systems• Subsistence Resources• Marine Mammal Regulatory Cooperation• Cultural Knowledge• Education

Fundamental Resources and Values

Arctic CircleArctic Circle

SELAWIK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

KOYUKUK NATIONALWILDLIFE REFUGE

NATIONAL PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA

NOATAK NATIONAL PRESERVE

KOBUK VALLEYNATIONAL PARK

BERING LAND BRIDGE

NATIONAL PRESERVE

GATES OF THE ARCTIC

NATIONAL PARK

GATES OF THE ARCTICNATIONAL PRESERVE

CAPE

KRUSENSTERN

NATIONAL

MONUMENT

ARCTIC OCEAN

CHUKCHI SEA

ARCTIC OCEAN

CHUKCHI SEA

HO

THA

M IN

LET (K

OB

UK

LAK

E)

ESCHSCHOLTZ BAY

KOTZEBUE SOUND

INLANDLAKE

SELAWIK LAKE

Pitmegea River

Kuk

powruk R

iver

Wulik River

Kiva

lina

Riv

er

Omikviorok River

Rabbit C

reek

Agashashok

R

iver

No

atak

R

iver

Kel

ly

Riv

er

Ko

kolik R

iver

Utu

kok

Riv

er

Trail

Creek

Kugu

ruro

k River

Kaluktavik Riv

er

Eli River Nak

olik

Ri

ver

No

rth

For

k S

quir

rel

Riv

er

Melvin Channel

KobukKobuk

River

River

Kallarichuk River

Salmon

River

Om

ar

Riv

er

Tutu

ksu

k

Riv

er

Aklumayuak Creek

Nim

iukt

uk

R

iver

Nuk

a

River

Colville

River

An

isak

R

iver

Nan

ielik

C

reek

Makpik Cre

ek

Cutler River

Akiak Creek

Kalig

uric

hea

rk

Riv

er Akilli

k Rive

r

Aniuk River

Etiv

luk

R

iver

Nigu River

Colville

R

iver

Awuna River

Kugarak River

Selawik River

Shungnak River

Reds

tone

Rive

r

A m

bl

er River

Noatak

River

ImikrukLagoon

Imik Lagoon

Kotlik Lagoon

KrusensternLagoon

Lake Narvakrak

Squirrel

River

FeniakLake

DesperationLake

OkoklikLake

LakeKangilipak

Kavet Creek

LakeMatcharak

AniralikLake

AukulakLagoon

Red Dog Mine

Kivalina

KotzebuePark Headquarters and

Information Center

Noatak

Kiana

Noorvik

Selawik

Ambler

KobukShungnak

GREAT KOBUKSAND DUNES

LITTLE KOBUKSAND DUNES

For a detailed map of BeringLand Bridge National Preserve,please refer to its official mapand guide.

Red Dog MinePort Site

Red Dog Mine

Anigaaq

(seasonal)

Anigaaq (seasonal)

Kelly River

(seasonal)

Kallarichuk

(seasonal)

Onion Portage

Field Station(seasonal)

(seasonal)

Howard Pass

Sheshalik Spit

Cape Krusenstern

BALDWINPENINSULA

KI A

NA H I L L S

I G I C H U K H I L L S

KOBUKRIVERDELTA

IGGIRUKMOUNTAINS

NAGLATUKHILL

B R O O K S R A N GE

INACCESSIBLE RID

GE

D E L O N G M O U N T A I N S

MU

L GR

AV

E H

I L

LS

WA R I N G M O U N T A I N S

SC

H

WA

T KA

MO

U N T A I N S

JADE MOUNTAINS

MAIY

UMERAK

M

OUNTA

INS

KA

LL

AR ICHUK HILLS

KINGASIVIKMOUNTAINS

IMIKNEYAKMOUNTAINS

POKTOVIKMOUNTAINS

ISACHELUICHMOUNTAINS

HO

C K L E Y H I L L S

AK

I AK

MO

UN

TA

I NS

S H E K L U K S H U K R A N G E

BA

I RD

M O U N T AI

NS

DeadlockMountain2995 ft913 m

AmphitheatreMountain 3528 ft1075 m

Kikmiksot Mountain2285 ft697 m

Mount Noak2010 ft613 m

MountAngayukaqsraq

4760 ft1451 m

Akiknaak Peaks2890 ft881 m

IikhklukMountain

3730 ft1137 m

MountBastille4480 ft1366 m

Iyikrok Mountain2195 ft669 m

Black Mountain5020 ft1530 m

TututalakMountain4474 ft1364 m

Kanaktok Mountain3320 ft1012 m

Mount Bupto4131 ft1259 m

KivliktortMountain

4449 ft1356 m

National preserve

National park ornational monument

Ranger station

Map warning: Do notuse this map for hik-ing or river running.Write to the superin-tendent for informa-tion about U.S.G.S.topographic maps.

0

0 20 Miles

20 Kilometers

North

Cape Krusenstern National Monument was established on December 2, 1980 under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), to protect and interpret a series of archeological sites depicting every known cultural period in Arctic Alaska; to provide for scientific study of the process of human population of the area from the Asian continent; in cooperation with Native Alaskans, to preserve and interpret evidence of prehistoric and historic Native cultures; to protect habitat for marine mammals; to protect habitat for and populations of birds and other wildlife, and fish resources; and to protect the viability of subsistence resources.

North of Kotzebue and above the Arctic Circle, the monument is comprised of 659,807 acres of land and water and forms 70 miles of shoreline on the Chukchi Sea. It is characterized by a coastal plain dotted with sizable lagoons and backed by gently rolling, limestone hills. On the east, the coastal plain meets an ancient sea cliff now mantled with tundra and blue-gray limestone rubble. In the southeast portion of the monument is the highest point, Mount Noak with an elevation of 2,010 feet. More than 114 beach ridges provide evidence of human

tundra landforms, the Chukchi Sea, and possibly muskoxen. Be prepared for the spongy tundra to slow your hiking speed. Kayaking is also possible on several large lagoons. Remember to pack warm clothing, as prevailing westerly winds may drop wind chill factors below freezing, even in summer.

Northwestern Alaska is not connected to the state’s road system. Daily commercial flights connect Anchorage to Kotzebue, the largest community in the region. From Kotzebue, access to the monument is by aircraft or boat; in winter, during periods of adequate sea ice, access by snowmachine, atv’s , and dogsled is possible. Average flight time for a chartered aircraft to drop off passengers at Cape Krusenstern and return to Kotzebue is one hour. Aircraft land on public and private landing strips, beaches, tundra, or if float equipped, on lagoon waters. Extremely variable weather can and does curtail travel to and from the monument. Visitors should be prepared to enjoy a non-traditional National Park Service experience. There are no roads, trails, campgrounds or regularly attended ranger stations in Cape Krusenstern National Monument. This is truly a wild area.

use for 5,000 years.  The Inupiat continue to use the area today.  Vast wetlands provide habitat for shorebirds from as far away as South America.  Hikers and boaters can see carpets of wildflowers among shrubs containing wisps of qiviut from muskoxen.

Kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking, backpacking, wildlife watching, and photo opportunities abound in the summer. With winter arctic survival skills and personal equipment, snow machining, skiing and dog mushing are also possible. Community programs are available in the summer at the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center. Topics include natural and cultural history of the monument, local research, local crafts and children’s activities. There are no developed facilities in Cape Krusenstern National Monument. Summer hikes are possible along the many miles of beach. A hike in the hills provides a spectacular view of

Description