2012 Map of Nelson

About this map

Nelson and Esquon anchor this agricultural landscape in Butte County, where a complex network of irrigation and drainage defines the Central Valley terrain. The presence of the Western Canal and Odell Canal, alongside engineered features like the D-100 Main Drain and Low Lift Lateral, illustrates the intensive water management required for the region's productive grainlands. Natural waterways including Butte Creek, Hamlin Slough, and Durham Slough weave through the rectangular grid of local roads, such as Grainland Road and Nelson Shippee Road. On the southern edge, the Richvale Airport serves the surrounding farming community, while the Midway corridor provides a primary north-south transportation link. This map is a clear record of modern agricultural infrastructure, tracing the paths of both ancient sloughs and the artificial channels that have reshaped the valley floor.