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1951 Map of McCoy Wash

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of McCoy Wash
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1952
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1952

About this map

Palo Verde Mesa and the Palo Verde Valley dominate this early 1950s landscape, showcasing the sharp transition between arid highlands and the engineered agricultural lands of Riverside County. The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad cuts a diagonal line across the desert floor, passing through the small settlement of Mesaville. This era of development is marked by significant hydraulic infrastructure, including a series of levees, a Diversion Dike, and the Irrigation Canal which supported the valley's growth.

Educational and transportation hubs are centered near the eastern edge of the survey. The Palo Verde High School and Junior College complex is clearly visible, while the Blythe Airport sits to the south with its distinct runway configuration and adjacent Tanks. The drainage patterns of McCoy Wash are intricately mapped as they descend toward the valley, illustrating the natural geography that local engineers sought to manage with the West Side Main Drain.