2021 Map of Obsidian Butte

About this map

Obsidian Butte stands as a distinct landmark within the expansive Imperial Valley landscape, positioned near the southeastern shoreline of the Salton Sea. This area is defined by a sophisticated network of agricultural water management features, including the New River and various specialized channels such as the Vail Seven Drain and Vail Cut-Off Drain. The map reveals the precise grid of the region's land management, with roads like Young Rd and Lack Rd providing access across the low-lying terrain. The transition between the open waters of the sea and the structured irrigation system of the valley illustrates the intensive modification of the desert environment for agricultural use in the twenty-first century.