1954 Map of Midway Well NW

About this map

All American Canal cuts a rigid horizontal path across the arid landscape of the East Mesa, representing a critical piece of mid-century hydraulic engineering near the international border. This 1954 field-checked survey reveals the industrial infrastructure required to manage water in the Imperial Valley, including Power Drop No 4 and Power Drop No 3. North of the canal, the terrain is dominated by migrating Sand Dunes, while the southern portion shows early agricultural testing at Experimental Farm No 1. The map documents the precise boundary between the United States Mexico and California Baja California, marked by a series of bench marks and a lone Jeep Trail that skirts the southern desert floor. The presence of a Water Tank near the power drops highlights the isolated outposts of utility workers who maintained this desert lifeline.