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2021 Map of Thermal Canyon

Name: 2021 Topographic Map of Thermal Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2021
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2021

About this map

The Little San Bernardino Mountains dominate the northeastern reaches of this landscape, where the rugged terrain meets the desert floor of the Coachella Valley. This 2021 survey illustrates the complex water infrastructure vital to the region, most notably the Colorado River Aqueduct winding through the foothills and the Coachella Canal cutting across the valley. The boundary of Joshua Tree National Park is clearly defined in the upper right, encompassing the high desert elevations above Yellow Spots Canyon and Front Hill Canyon.

To the south, the Mecca Hills rise sharply, dissected by the namesake Thermal Canyon. The settlement of Coachella and the surrounding agricultural grid are represented by an extensive road network, including Fargo Canyon Rd and Airport Blvd. This map documents a high-contrast environment where sophisticated irrigation projects like Wasteway Number Two support intensive cultivation at the very edge of the Colorado Desert's mountain ranges.