Mapping California

Last updated
The 1897 contoured map of Monterey Bay 1897 contoured map of Monterey "Submerged Valley". From George Davidson published paper in Proc. of Calif. Acad. of Sciences. Monterey Canyon was first noted in 1857 by James Alden of C&GS Ship ACTIVE . Alden termed the canyon a "submarine gulch." Courtesy of the NOAA Image Library . Monterey Bay Canyon map "Submerged Valley".jpg
The 1897 contoured map of Monterey Bay 1897 contoured map of Monterey "Submerged Valley". From George Davidson published paper in Proc. of Calif. Acad. of Sciences. Monterey Canyon was first noted in 1857 by James Alden of C&GS Ship ACTIVE . Alden termed the canyon a "submarine gulch." Courtesy of the NOAA Image Library .

California is a unique place that has not always been well understood. For hundreds of years there persisted a European misconception that California was an island and many maps were made depicting it as such. Eventually, by the 18th century, enough information about California reached the outside world to dispel that myth. As California became increasingly populated, comprehensive surveying and mapping of its territory seemingly expanded slowly. When gold was discovered in 1848 and it joined the United States as the thirty first state in 1851 and interest in plotting California's landscapes boomed.

Contents

California quickly became a well-documented piece of the United States. Time has brought even more mapping; with modern technology, particularly GIS any aspect of California can be and is recorded on a map. Not only are physical maps of California readily available, but maps with all variety of demographic information are as well.

History

1650 Nicolas Sanson map showing California as an island. Insel Kalifornien 1650.jpg
1650 Nicolas Sanson map showing California as an island.
A bathymetric map of the Davidson Seamount, before it was named for George Davidson in 1936. Courtesy of the NOAA Image Library. Davidson Seamount.jpg
A bathymetric map of the Davidson Seamount, before it was named for George Davidson in 1936. Courtesy of the NOAA Image Library.

Chronology of early surveying and mapping efforts

In 1841 Cadwalader Ringgold, an officer in the United States Navy, spent twenty days surveying the San Francisco Bay watershed as a member of the United States Exploring Expedition In 1849, Cadwalader Ringgold began a more comprehensive survey of surveying the San Francisco Bay region, [1] the Sacramento River, and parts of the American and created a number of 8maps which included Depth sounding information for the Sacramento River and San Francisco Bay. Also included on the maps are the sizes and locations of settlements along the Sacramento River. [2] A Series of Charts with Sailing Directions, by Cadwalader Ringgold was published in 1852. This book includes the maps from the 1849 expedition as well as a color illustrations of ports and important landmarks. To further supplement the navigators the book includes notes on observed magnetic variation and a table of 26 coordinates for landmarks, harbors and a table of bearings for several point to point journeys. [3]

1857, the commanding officer of the United States Coast Survey Steamer, Active, discovers a deep submarine valley, or "gulch," in the center of Monterey Bay. This is the first known sea-floor canyon and is now called Monterey Canyon.

From the 1850s through the 1860s, the United States Coast Survey, now NOAA's Office of Coast Survey, published a set of color maps with five stratigraphic units detailing the geologic makeup of California as well as a comprehensive set of nautical charts for the entire coast of California. [4]

Shortly after statehood, the California state government appointed its first State Geologist and began commissioning geologic surveys of their own. The state appointed John B. Trask to the position of State Geologist and he served from 1850 to 1856. He compiled a report entitled "On the Geology of the Sierra Nevada, or California Range." The second State Geologist, Josiah Whitney, served from 1860 to 1873. Whitney organized the first comprehensive survey of California and the first complete topographic maps of the state were completed under him. Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in California is named after him, a testament to his legacy. The State Mining Bureau was established in 1880, and the position of State Geologist was changed to State Mineralogist. In 1891, the first state geologic map showing eight color stratigraphic regions was published. The second geologic map of the state was published in 1916 and shows twenty one stratigraphic regions. The State Mining Bureau was renamed the Division of Mines and Geology in 1862. Its pseudonym, the California Geologic Survey, was established in January 2002. [5]

In 1869, George Davidson, an assistant coast surveyor compiled the book, Pacific Coast: Coast Pilot of California, Oregon, and Washington Territory. The 262 page volume is complete with illustrations, coordinate tables, notes on magnetic variation and some bathymetric sounding information. [6]

Modern projects

Modern Bathymetric chart of Monterey Canyon. Courtesy of NOAA. Monterey Canyon Bathymetric Chart.JPG
Modern Bathymetric chart of Monterey Canyon. Courtesy of NOAA.

Surveying efforts of California continue today with the assistance of modern technology. Modern mapping in California involves the use of modern electronics to refine information found through analog methods. Many organizations and government agencies are involved in collecting and mapping data in California today.

See also

Mapping legislation

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Rock Island</span>

Red Rock Island is an uninhabited, 5.8-acre (2.3 ha) island in the San Francisco Bay located just south of the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge. The property is the only privately owned island in San Francisco Bay. The boundaries of three counties – San Francisco, Marin, and Contra Costa – converge on the island. The San Francisco County portion is an incorporated part of the city of San Francisco since it is a consolidated city-county; the Contra Costa portion is incorporated inside the city limits of Richmond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Brothers (San Francisco Bay)</span> Pair of small islands, East Brother and West Brother, in San Francisco Bay

The Brothers are a pair of small islands, East Brother and West Brother, located in the San Rafael Bay embayment of San Pablo Bay, these roughly 1,000 feet (300 m) west of Point San Pablo in Contra Costa County, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sisters (California)</span>

The Sisters are two small rock islands in San Pablo Bay, located 500 meters (1,600 ft) northeast of Point San Pedro in Marin County, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castro Rocks</span> Islands in the United States of America

The Castro Rocks are several rocks in Richmond, California protruding from the waters in San Francisco Bay between Castro Point and Red Rock Island.The rocks lie almost directly under the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (I-580).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Browns Island (Contra Costa County)</span>

Browns Island is a regional preserve of the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) in Pittsburg, Contra Costa County, California, United States. It is an island in Suisun Bay, part of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, separated from the rest of Pittsburg by New York Slough.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roe Island</span>

Roe Island is an island in Suisun Bay at the mouth of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in Solano County, California, 10 km east of Benicia. Its western tip is named Preston Point, and its eastern tip is Gillespie Point. It is shown, labeled "Preston Island", on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold and an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange. It is labeled, along with Deadman Island, Joice Island, Grizzly Island, Simmons Island and Ryer Island, on a 1902 USGS map of the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Island (California)</span>

Grand Island is an island lying between Sycamore Slough and the Sacramento River. A post office operated at Grand Island from 1854 to 1919. It is shown, labeled "Taylor Island", on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold and an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryer Island (Suisun Bay)</span>

Ryer Island is an island in Suisun Bay at the mouth of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in Solano County, California, eight miles east-northeast of Benicia. It is administered by Reclamation District 501, and is in the Suisun Resource Conservation District. At the time of statehood it was known as Kings Island, and is labeled as such on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold as well as an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange. It is labeled, along with Deadman Island, Joice Island, Grizzly Island, Simmons Island, and Roe Island, on a 1902 USGS map of the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winter Island (California)</span> Restored as a tidal marsh in Suisun Bay

Winter Island is a 453-acre (183 ha) island in Suisun Bay, in the western Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. It is north of Pittsburg, separated from Browns Island to the west by a slough. It was private property, and contained one house. It is used as a duck hunting area, a wetland, and a dredging disposal area. In 2016 Winter Island was purchased by the California Department of Water Resources in order to restore the island as a tidal marsh. Winter Island is part of Contra Costa County, and managed by Reclamation District 2122. It is shown, labeled "Ruckels Island", on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold and an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hammond Island (California)</span> Island in California

Hammond Island is a small island in Suisun Bay, California. It is part of Solano County. Its coordinates are 38°06′18″N121°56′15″W. An 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold shows islands partially covering some of the current area of Hammond Island, labeled "Davis Island" and "Warrington Island".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dutton Island</span> Island in California

Dutton Island is a small island in Suisun Bay, California. It is part of Solano County, and included within Reclamation District 2127. Its coordinates are 38°04′54″N121°58′14″W. An 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold, as well as an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange, shows an unlabeled island covering some of the area now occupied by Dutton Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grizzly Island</span> Island in California

Grizzly Island is a small island in Grizzly Bay in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. It is part of Solano County, partially managed by Reclamation Districts 2112, 2129 and 2136. Its coordinates are 38°09′05″N121°58′22″W. Islands that partially cover some of its current area, labelled "Warrington Island" and "Davis Island", are shown on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold and an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange. It is labeled, along with Deadman Island, Joice Island, Simmons Island, Ryer Island and Roe Island, on a 1902 USGS map of the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simmons Island</span> Island in California

Simmons Island is a small island in Grizzly Bay in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. It is part of Solano County, and included within Reclamation District 2127. Its coordinates are 38°05′49″N121°59′26″W. It is shown as "Simmons Island" on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold, and as "Simons Island" on an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange. It is labeled, along with Deadman Island, Joice Island, Grizzly Island, Ryer Island and Roe Island, on a 1902 USGS map of the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheeler Island (California)</span> Island in California

Wheeler Island is a small island in Suisun Bay, California. It is part of Solano County; parts of it are included in Reclamation Districts 2127 and 2130. Its coordinates are 38°05′06″N121°56′15″W. An 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold, and an 1854 map by Henry Lange, show islands partially covering some of the current area of Wheeler Island, labeled "Davis Island" and "Warrington Island".

Sutter Island is a small island of the Sacramento River in California. It is bordered by the Sacramento River on the northeast, Steamboat Slough to the southease, and Sutter Slough to the west. It is located across the Sacramento River from Paintersville. It is part of Sacramento County, and managed by Reclamation District 349. Its coordinates are 38°17′37″N121°35′32″W. It is shown, labeled "Schoolcraft Island", on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold and an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Island (California)</span> Island in California

West Island is a small island in the San Joaquin River, California. It is part of Sacramento County. Its coordinates are 38°01′24″N121°46′43″W. It is shown, labeled "Webers Island", on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold and an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brannan Island</span> Island in California

Brannan Island is a small island in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. It is part of Sacramento County, California, and is managed by Reclamation District 2067. Its coordinates are 38°07′19″N121°38′37″W, and the United States Geological Survey measured its elevation as −13 ft (−4.0 m) in 1981. A "Brannan Island", with the same location but a slightly different shape, is labeled on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold as well as an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montezuma Island</span> Island in California

Montezuma Island is an island in Suisun Bay, an embayment of San Francisco Bay, and downstream of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. It is part of Sacramento County, California, and not managed by any reclamation district. Its coordinates are 38°04′28″N121°50′23″W, and the United States Geological Survey measured its elevation as 7 ft (2.1 m) in 1981. It is labeled "Burnett Island" on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold, and shown (unlabeled) on an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spinner Island</span> Island in California

Spinner Island is an island in Suisun Bay, an embayment of San Francisco Bay, downstream of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. It is part of Solano County, California, and not managed by any reclamation district. Its coordinates are 38°04′11″N121°52′10″W, and the United States Geological Survey measured its elevation as 0 ft (0 m) in 1981. It is shown in an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold, as well as an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randall Island</span> Island in California

Randall Island is an island in the Sacramento River, in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. It is part of Sacramento County, California, and managed by Reclamation District 755. Its coordinates are 38°20′25″N121°33′03″W, and the United States Geological Survey measured its elevation as 0 ft (0 m) in 1981. It is shown, labelled "Hensley Island", on an 1850 survey map of the San Francisco Bay area made by Cadwalader Ringgold and an 1854 map of the area by Henry Lange.

References

  1. ↑ Houston, Alan Fraser, "Cadwalader Ringgold, U. S. Navy" an article in California History magazine, Volume 79, Issue 4, Winter 2000, page 208.
  2. ↑ Ringgold, Cadwalader. "Chart of the Farallons and the Entrance to San Francisco Bay..." David Rumsey Map Collection.
  3. ↑ Ringgold, Cadwalader. A Series of Charts with Sailing Directions. J.T. Towers, 1852. Original from the New York Public Library. Google Books
  4. ↑ Office of Coast Survey Historical Map & Chart Project, Search:"California, Nautical Charts." http://historicalcharts.noaa.gov/historicals/historical_zoom.asp
  5. ↑ History of the California Geological Survey. State of California, Department of Conservation. Archived 2008-12-25 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ Davidson, George. Pacific Coast: Coast Pilot of California, Oregon, and Washington Teriitory. Government Print Office, 1869. Google Books,

Mapping projects in California

Federal government agencies mapping projects in California

State government agencies mapping projects in California

Non-government organizations mapping projects in California

Bathymetric Data of the California Coast

Images of California

Map Collections

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.