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1957 Map of Brawley NW

Name: 1957 Topographic Map of Brawley NW
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

Military testing grounds and heavy irrigation infrastructure dominate this Imperial County landscape. The El Centro Naval Reservation Boundary encloses a significant portion of the western terrain, featuring specialized zones such as the Parachute Range, Recovery Test Range, and a Firing Range. These tactical areas contrast sharply with the eastern agricultural development, where a complex network of man-made waterways like the Westside Main Canal and Thistle Canal support the arid valley's farm economy.

The New River meanders through the southeast corner, flanked by a system of levees and spoil banks. Localized landmarks such as Tamarack Ranch and scattered Gravel Pits provide specific points of interest for those tracing the history of land use. The transition from government ordnance testing to canal-fed agriculture illustrates the diverse roles this desert region served during the mid-20th century.