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1962 Map of Merced Falls

Name: 1962 Topographic Map of Merced Falls
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

The gold-bearing foothills of the Sierra Nevada come into sharp focus through a network of mines and early hydraulic works. Mining activity is densely recorded across Penon Blanco Ridge and the surrounding canyons, with sites such as the Mitchell Mine, Solambo Mine, and Forty-nine Mine marking the region's industrial footprint. Near the Merced River, the landscape is fundamentally altered by dredge tailings and water management infrastructure, including the Snelling Diversion Dam and the Powerhouse at Merced Falls.

Agricultural and transport history is visible in the transition from the rugged ridges to the valley floor. Settlement patterns center on Snelling and La Grange, connected by the Old Railroad Grade and early thoroughfares like Fields Road. The map documents a significant era of water storage, depicting the expanses of Don Pedro Reservoir and Lake McClure before later expansions further transformed these river canyons. Notable local landmarks like the Don Pedro Sch and several small reservoirs such as Dawson Lake provide essential detail for genealogical and local history research.