2018 Map of Semitropic

About this map

The agricultural expanse of the Central Valley is defined here by a complex network of water management features designed to reclaim the arid basin. Historically dominated by the Goose Lake Bed, the landscape is now segmented by an intricate system of irrigation and drainage, including the Goose Lake Canal, the Main Drain, and the Belridge Ditch. These engineering works, along with the Main Drain Levee, have transformed the basin into a productive landscape where the small settlements of Semitropic and Spicer City stand as local landmarks. Slight topographic variations like Semitropic Ridge and Buttonwillow Ridge provide the only relief in this low-lying area. The map also traces the path of Jerry Slough and the E-Side-Canal, illustrating how the hydrology of the San Joaquin Valley has been entirely reconfigured for 21st-century agricultural use.