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1952 Map of Woodward Island

Name: 1952 Topographic Map of Woodward Island
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1954
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1954

About this map

The Old River and Middle River carve a complex path through the California Delta in the early 1950s, defining a landscape of reclaimed agricultural tracts and islands. This area is characterized by an extensive network of levees, siphons, and pump houses that manage the water levels of the Holland Tract, Bacon Island, and Woodward Island. The map records the intersection of vital infrastructure and small rail settlements, including Bixler, Werner, and Orwood along the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad line.

Large-scale engineering is evident in the path of the Mokelumne Aqueduct and the straight-cut Victoria Canal. Local life and transit are marked by the presence of Ridge Sch on Mildred Island and the operation of the Mildred Island Ferry and Mandeville Ferry. The boundary between Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties follows the winding course of the natural sloughs, contrasting with the rigid geometry of the Mt Diablo Base Line and the man-made drainage channels.