Loading map...

2012 Map of Merced

Name: 2012 Topographic Map of Merced
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2012
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2012

About this map

Merced College and the growing campus of the University of California - Merced anchor this 2012 study of the San Joaquin Valley landscape. The map details a transition from the dense residential grid of the city to the expansive agricultural and hydrologic networks of Merced County. Water management is the primary defining feature of the terrain, visible through an intricate system of irrigation channels such as the Fairfield Canal, Le Grand Canal, and the Merced Lateral.

To the northeast, Yosemite Lake and Scout Island provide recreation near the university, while the eastern edge is defined by industrial and aviation interests like the Hunt Farms Airport. Local history and genealogy researchers will find value in the clear demarcation of long-standing sites like Evergreen Cem and Calvary Cem, alongside smaller outlying settlements such as Kadota and Tuttle. Natural drainage through Bear Creek and Black Rascal Cr intersects the artificial laterals, illustrating the complex engineering required to sustain this valley's agriculture.