1954 Map of Midway Well NW

About this map

The All American Canal cuts a definitive line across the arid landscape of East Mesa, representing a massive engineering effort to bring water to the Imperial Valley. This survey shows the infrastructure of the mid-1950s, including Power Drop No 4 and Power Drop No 3, which utilized the canal's gradient for hydroelectric generation. To the north, the shifting topography of the Sand Dunes contrasts with the strictly managed water systems below. Evidence of agricultural research appears in the southeastern corner at Experimental Farm No 1, positioned near a Jeep Trail. The map also captures the international boundary where California Baja California meets, illustrating the stark transition from desert mesa to the managed agricultural and utility corridors along the United States Mexico border.