2023 Map of Mesa West

About this map

The town of Mesa serves as a focal point for this section of Franklin County, where the desert landscape has been transformed by large-scale irrigation. The Potholes Canal meanders through the western half of the map, a critical artery for the regional agricultural economy that feeds numerous water bodies like Worth Lake and Clark Pond. The terrain is defined by dramatic geological depressions, most notably Esquatzel Coulee and Old Maid Coulee, which run parallel to the transport corridor on the eastern edge. Settlement patterns are tied to the rail and road infrastructure near Edwards, while the interior remains a grid of rural roads such as Sheffield Rd and Klamath Rd. This survey documents a sophisticated water management system, including the Bernsens 810 Reservoir, illustrating how modern engineering sustains life in the arid Columbia Basin. Small aviation history is also noted at the Slinkard Airfield, situated near the canal’s upper reaches.