1985 Map of Salton Sea

About this map

The Salton Sea dominates the landscape of this 1980s Imperial County survey, framed by intensive irrigation and vast military reservations. To the south, the agricultural grid around Calipatria and Westmorland relies on the Alamo River and an intricate system of canals, while several lake units like Wiest Lake and Finney Lake provide managed habitats within the Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. The eastern half of the map is defined by the expanse of the Chocolate Mountains, much of which is occupied by the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range. Along the Southern Pacific rail line, small settlements such as Niland and Bombay Beach serve as outposts between the water's edge and the high desert. Mining activity is evident in the foothills, including the Black Eagle Mine and Frink Mine, indicating the persistent mineral extraction industries operating alongside the region's mid-century military installations like the Salton Sea Test Base.