1956 Map of Obsidian Butte

About this map

Obsidian Butte rises from the southeastern shore of the Salton Sea, providing a sharp volcanic contrast to the surrounding desert lowlands of Imperial County. Surveyed in the mid-1950s, this area is defined by the heavy engineering required to manage water and drainage in a basin sitting at an elevation 235 feet below sea level. The landscape is bisected by an intricate system of irrigation and drainage infrastructure, including the Vail Cut Off Drain, Lateral 5, and Pumice Drain, which channel water toward the sea. The Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge dominates the western portion of the map, while the mouth of the New River enters from the south. Cultural features are sparse, limited largely to agricultural support such as a Quarry and various Pump stations, illustrating the region's primary focus on large-scale water management and resource extraction.