1986 Map of Mesa West

About this map

Mesa and the smaller locality of Edwards anchor this mid-1980s landscape, where the intensive water management of the Columbia Basin Project is on full display. The terrain is defined by a complex network of irrigation infrastructure, including a Siphon, Spillway, and Aqueduct that service the surrounding agricultural tracts. Large Spoil Banks and a Levee system trace the movement of earth and water through the coulees. Natural and man-made water bodies like Mesa Lake, Worth Lake, and Clark Pond punctuate the arid surroundings, reflecting the transformation of the region's hydrology. Transportation and logistics are central to the area's layout, with the Burlington Northern railroad running parallel to an Old RR Grade and several gravel operations. The presence of numerous storage bins and pumping stations underscores the industrial scale of local farming operations as they existed during this era of Franklin County's development.