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1961 Map of Stevinson

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

USGS Topo · Published 1962

About this map

The confluence of the San Joaquin River and the Merced River dictates the landscape of this 1961 study, where seasonal inundation patterns shape the valley floor. Near the community of Stevinson, the terrain transitions from irrigated agricultural fields along the East Side Irrigation Canal to the complex wetlands of S J Island. This river-bottom country is marked by numerous waterways including Bear Slough, Salt Slough, and Deep Slough, which weave through an area dense with Duck Ponds and designated wildlife spaces like Hatfield State Park.

Local landmarks such as the Merquin School and the Modesto Gun Club reflect the dual character of the region as both a farming settlement and a recreational hub for waterfowling. The map details a sophisticated water management system of siphons, aqueducts like the Mc Coy Aqueduct, and numerous laterals that transformed this riparian corridor into productive Merced County farmland during the mid-twentieth century.