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1984 Map of Laws

Name: 1984 Topographic Map of Laws
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1984
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1984

About this map

Laws sits at the heart of the Owens River Valley, a landscape defined by the juxtaposition of complex water management and the steep rise of the White Mountains. This mid-1980s provisional survey shows a sophisticated network of irrigation and drainage infrastructure, including the Mc Nally Canal, Smith Canal, and Rawson Canal, alongside the older Poleta Ditch. These systems sustained the valley floor even as the surrounding terrain remained dominated by mining and aviation.

The presence of the Railroad Museum at Laws points to the area's transit heritage, while the foothills are marked by industrial traces like the Southern Belle Mine and various open pit mines. To the west, the Volcanic Tableland provides a stark geologic boundary, contrasting with the high-altitude reaches of the Inyo National Forest and the rugged path of Silver Canyon Road as it ascends into the peaks.