1951 Map of McCoy Wash

About this map

The arid landscape of the Palo Verde Mesa is defined by the convergence of desert drainage systems and mid-century agricultural infrastructure. The wide, braided channel of McCoy Wash dominates the central topography, flowing southeast toward the fertile valley floor. In the lower reaches of the map, the development of the Palo Verde Irrigation Canal and Drain 2 highlights the intensive effort to manage water in the Colorado River basin, transforming desert land into arable plots organized by a rigid grid of roads like 6th Ave and Arrowhead Blvd.