Post on 01-Jan-2016
Pristine WaterscapePristine WaterscapeSouthern CaliforniaSouthern California
Largest lake in state wasTulare Lake
Other large lakes Buena Vista and Kern—and overflow lands
California contained over 5 million acres of wetlands—mainlyin the Central Valley.
Flowing artesian well
Deciduous Riparian Forest
Oak savanna
Coastal Salt Marsh
Los Angeles ca. 1850
Pristine WaterscapePristine WaterscapeSouthern CaliforniaSouthern California
Owens Lake was a salinelake east of the Sierra Nevada mountains
Ships crossed the lake carrying gold ore to the railroads
Pristine WaterscapePristine WaterscapeSouthern CaliforniaSouthern California
Today, the largest lake inCalifornia is the SaltonSea. It existed as thedry Salton Sink prior to 1906
1960’s
Today
Pristine WaterscapePristine WaterscapeNorthern CaliforniaNorthern California
California Wild& Scenic Rivers
San Joaquin River flows restricted by irrigation dams
Lack of flushing by flood waters leads to saline soils
Bay Area and DeltaBay Area and Delta
200,000 acres of coastal marshes along SF bay—only 35,000 left now
Missions were located near water and an abundant supplyof native “heathen” who would work on canals and irrigation
Four presidios were expected to grow own food and clothingas well as carry out military duties.
Three pueblos were established and expected to provideprovisions for the presidios as well as themselves
LA in 1850
Crumbling Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1880
US invasion of Mexico at San Pascual (1846)