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1961 Map of San Luis Ranch

Name: 1961 Topographic Map of San Luis Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1962
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

The low-lying wetlands of Merced County are defined here by an intricate web of waterways and private hunting grounds within the Central Valley. San Luis Island and Santa Rita Island are shaped by the meandering San Joaquin River and a network of drainage channels such as Deadmans Slough and Circle Slough. This landscape reveals a mid-century reliance on managed water systems for both agriculture and conservation, featuring large-scale holdings like Exeter Farms and the San Luis Ranch.

The prevalence of recreational and sporting clubs is particularly striking, with numerous sites like the Yellow Jacket Gun Club and Zimmerman Gun Club dotting the marshes. Much of the southern portion is dedicated to the Los Banos State Waterfowl Area, preserving the habitat around Big Buttonwillow Lake and Olson Pond. These features, alongside the Fremont Canal and Santa Fe Grade, illustrate the complex balance of land use between seasonal flooding and managed irrigation.