2012 Map of Obsidian Butte

About this map

Obsidian Butte stands as a prominent volcanic feature on the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea in this 2012 survey. The landscape is defined by the rigid geometry of Imperial County's agricultural water management system, where the desert is reclaimed through an intricate network of irrigation and runoff channels. These man-made waterways, including the Vail Seven Drain, Vail Six-A Drain, and Vail Cut Off Drain, demonstrate the engineering required to sustain cultivation in this arid basin. A grid of local roads like Lack Rd and Severe Rd provides access to the shoreline and the surrounding industrial-scale fields. The proximity of these drains to the receding waterline illustrates the ongoing hydrological shift of the region, where drainage infrastructure and natural basins meet in a constantly evolving environment.