Loading map...

1963 Map of Iris Pass

Name: 1963 Topographic Map of Iris Pass
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

The Coachella East Mesa Canal cuts across the arid landscape of the Colorado Desert in this mid-1960s survey, marking a stark line between the irrigated lowlands and the rugged Chocolate Mountains. This territory was defined by military and industrial utility, dominated by the massive Aerial Gunnery Range and various naval and government reservations. Traces of older transit and extraction are visible throughout, from the historic Bradshaw Road to the Imperial Buttes Mine.

The presence of Camp Dunlap (Site) and scattered watering points like Bear Well and Watt Well reflect the logistical challenges of the terrain. The map details a complex network of mountain crossings, including Iris Pass, Augustine Pass, and Surveyors Pass, which provided essential corridors through the Chuckwalla Mountains. These features, along with a series of siphons and reservoirs, illustrate the critical infrastructure required to support mining and military operations in this remote section of Imperial and Riverside counties.