2015 Map of East of Granite Pass

About this map

The Colorado River Aqueduct carves a path through this desert landscape, crossing the boundary between San Bernardino and Riverside counties. This critical piece of California's water infrastructure navigates the broad expanse of Ward Valley, a stark contrast to the dramatic rise of the Granite Mountains in the southwestern corner. The terrain is characterized by the complex drainage patterns of ephemeral watercourses like Sand Draw, which stretch across the valley floor. This 2015 U.S. Geological Survey representation emphasizes the intersection of natural desert topography and the engineered systems required to transport water through these arid basins. The map illustrates the vast, unpopulated character of this region, where township lines like t1s r18e and t1s r19e provide the primary human-imposed structure over the shifting sands and mountain foothills.