1957 Map of Yuha Basin

About this map

The Yuha Basin dominates this arid landscape, showing a complex network of dry washes and desert terrain as it appeared in the mid-20th century. The geological character of the region is defined by the prominent Yuha Buttes and the nearby Shell Beds, which indicate the marine history of this now-dry inland sink. The terrain transitions from the low-lying basin floor to the elevated West Mesa in the northeast, where the W Side Main Canal introduces irrigation infrastructure to the desert edge. This survey, based on 1940s planetable work and updated by 1950s aerial photography, captures the Yuha Desert before significant modern surface disturbances, preserving the original jeep trails and washes that served as the primary routes through the Imperial Valley's desert interior.