1982 Map of Mendota

About this map

The California Aqueduct and Delta-Mendota Canal define the engineered landscape of the San Joaquin Valley in this early 1980s study. The map illustrates a massive network of irrigation and flood control, including the Eastside Bypass and the James Bypass, which redirect waters around the agricultural hubs of Mendota and Firebaugh. This intricate water system contrasts sharply with the arid, topographic rise of the Panoche Hills and Tumey Hills to the west. Local aviation history is visible at Eagle Field Airport and the Municipal Airport near Madera, while conservation efforts are anchored by the Mendota Waterfowl Management Area. Rail infrastructure remains vital to the region's economy, with the Southern Pacific and Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe lines connecting small agricultural stops like Oxalis, Dos Palos, and San Joaquin.