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1952 Map of Rio Vista

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Rio Vista
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1959
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1959

About this map

Sacramento River and San Joaquin River hydrology dominates this mid-century survey of the California Delta, illustrating a complex landscape of islands and tracts managed by an extensive levee system. The map captures the region during a period of established river-borne commerce and agriculture, where settlements like Isleton and Rio Vista serve as hubs for the surrounding peat-soil lowlands. The intricate network of waterways, including the Mokelumne River and Georgiana Slough, highlights the reliance on water transport, with numerous named points such as Prisoners Point and Oulton Point marking the junctions of these tidal channels.

Local infrastructure is represented by the Sacramento Northern and Southern Pacific railroads, which once connected these delta towns to broader markets. Historic communities such as the legacy town of Locke and nearby Walnut Grove appear alongside rural landmarks like the Ryer Island School and Beaver Union School. The presence of the Yolo Bypass and numerous cuts, such as Venice Cut and Mandeville Cut, demonstrates the continuous engineering efforts required to navigate and drain this unique amphibious environment.