1961 Map of Turner Ranch

About this map

The Merced National Wildlife Refuge dominates this Central Valley landscape, illustrating the critical role of managed wetlands and sloughs in the Merced County region. Water management is the primary theme of this 1961 survey, evidenced by the extensive network of the East Side Bypass and Mariposa Bypass, which channel runoff through the flatlands. Large family and commercial holdings like Crane Ranch, McNamara Ranch, and the namesake Turner Ranch define the land-use patterns of the era. The presence of the Flynn Duck Club and numerous labeled Duck Ponds highlights the historical significance of the Pacific Flyway and the region's hunting culture. Along the winding San Joaquin River and Turner Island, the map captures a complex system of siphons, ditches, and sloughs such as Deep Slough and South Slough that supported the agricultural and conservation efforts of the mid-20th century.