2021 Map of Rice

About this map

Rice stands as a lonely point of transit in the high desert, positioned at the junction of Midland Rd and Aqueduct Rd. This remote landscape is defined by the vast, arid expanse of Rice Valley, which stretches across the southern half of the quadrangle. The map reveals the critical infrastructure that sustains life and industry in the California desert, most notably the path of the Colorado River Aqueduct as it traverses the terrain near the San Bernardino and Riverside county lines. The layout of the region reflects a mid-century reliance on long-distance water transport and singular road corridors that connect distant desert outposts. This survey captures the sparse settlement patterns and the dominance of the natural basin geography before further modernization or shifts in regional land use.