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1954 Map of Midway Well

Name: 1954 Topographic Map of Midway Well
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1960
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1960

About this map

East Mesa and its shifting Sand Dunes dominate this arid landscape along the international boundary between the United States and Mexico. This survey records the intensive mid-century engineering required to bring water to the desert, centered on the massive All American Canal and its infrastructure. Built by the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, the canal system is marked here by series of drops and industrial works, including Power Drop No 4, Power Drop No 3, and Power Drop No 2, alongside a Siphon and various Gaging Stations.

Agricultural ambition in this dry borderland is evident at Experimental Farm No 1 and Experimental Farm No 2, which represent efforts to harness the canal's resources. The remote character of the region is underscored by the presence of Midway Well and a rugged Jeep Trail that skirts the California and Baja California line. The map illustrates a strictly managed water-and-power corridor through a naturally inhospitable environment.