2018 Map of Obsidian Butte

About this map

The Salton Sea dominates the northern reaches of this landscape, its shoreline defining the transition into the agricultural heart of the Imperial Valley. This region is characterized by an extensive hydraulic infrastructure, necessary for the cultivation of the arid basin. A network of irrigation and drainage channels, including Vail Lateral Five, Vail Seven Drain, and the Vail-Cut-Off-Drain, crisscross the southern half of the map, illustrating the complex water management system that sustains local farming. Standing as a distinct geological landmark near the water's edge, Obsidian Butte rises above the surrounding flats, surrounded by a grid of rural roads such as Lack Rd and Grubel Rd that serve the outlying fields and geothermal interests.