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1964 Map of Picacho

Name: 1964 Topographic Map of Picacho
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The Trigo Mountains define this landscape, where mining history meets the managed waters of the Colorado River. Along the river's winding path, the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge and Picacho State Recreation Area provide a conservation framework for various water bodies, including Island Lake, Clear Lake, and Ferguson Lake. This area, marking the boundary between Yuma and Imperial counties, is punctuated by evidence of early industrial efforts, most notably the Picacho Mill (Ruin) near the settlement of Picacho.

Hardrock mining legacies are scattered across the arid terrain north of the river. Prospectors and mining interests developed numerous sites like the Red Cloud Mine, Dives Mine, and Princess Mine, which are connected by a network of primitive tracks and the Jeep Trail. The topography is deeply incised by drainage systems such as Red Cloud Wash, Black Rock Wash, and Arrastra Wash, while a significant portion of the eastern map is occupied by the Yuma Proving Ground, reflecting the mid-century military presence in the desert Southwest.