2018 Map of Clifton Court Forebay

About this map

Mountain House sits at the nexus of several massive water management projects in this part of the San Joaquin Valley. The landscape is dominated by the Clifton Court Forebay, a large reservoir that serves as a critical point for the California Aqueduct and the Delta-Mendota Canal. This area illustrates the transition from the reclaimed lands of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the rising foothills of the Diablo Range in the southwest corner. The intricate network of waterways including the Old River, Italian Slough, and the Fabian and Bell Canal highlights the complex irrigation and drainage systems that sustain local agriculture. Notable landforms include several named islands like Victoria Island, Coney Island, and Union Island, which are defined by these winding channels. The presence of the Byron Airport and a growing residential grid in the southern section reflects the modern development of this historic agricultural and hydraulic hub.