An aerial view of the town of Inuvik set
at the edge of the Mackenzie Delta.
The utilidors, an above ground, heated network of water and
sewage utilities, is made essential because of the permafrost which lies
just below the surface.
Because of the permafrost, buildings must be set onto wooden pilings
which are anchored in the permafrost and less likely to heave with the thawing
of the surface soil layers in summer.
Inuvik is a popular tourist destination. This Model T Ford
came all the way from Colorado in 1987 to be able to make the claim of
having crossed the Arctic Circle. One day it might be possible to drive
all the way to the Beaufort Sea. At present that can only be done on
winter roads constructed on the Mackenzie River.
These people are standing
on the winter road to Tuktoyaktuk.
For scientists using Inuvik as a staging point for work in the
region, the Inuvik Research Centre (right) plays a vital logistical role and the
Mackenzie Hotel (below) offers a break from the rigours of field research.
