1963 Map of Owens Reservoir

About this map

Pate Cem rests in the central hills of this landscape, a quiet testament to the early families who settled the borderlands between Mariposa and Merced counties. The terrain is defined by a series of north-south drainage systems, most notably Bear Creek, Owens Creek, and Mariposa Creek, each managed by its own impoundment: Bear Reservoir, Owens Reservoir, and Mariposa Reservoir. These waterworks reflect the transition of the region from purely extractive pursuits to managed agricultural and water storage needs during the mid-20th century.