1947 Map of Mendota

About this map

The San Joaquin River snakes with tight meanders through the central San Joaquin Valley, defining the border between Fresno and Madera counties. This landscape, as revised in 1946, is a complex network of hydraulic engineering designed for agriculture, centered on the Mendota Dam. The hydrology of the region is shaped by the intersection of the river with the Chowchilla Canal and Columbia Canal, alongside natural drainage features like Lone Willow Slough and Fresno Slough. Large-scale landholdings are prominent throughout the quadrangle, including the New Columbia Ranch, Pomona Ranch, and Aliso Ranch. These ranching and farming operations relied on the windmills and canals that dot the arid terrain, illustrating the intensive water management required for valley development. In the southwest corner, the town of Mendota serves as a local hub at the junction of rail and road.