1885

After the gold rush of the 1840’s, settlers began to arrive and cultivate lands along the fertile east side of the Valley. Early irrigation development began by direct diversions from the larger streams fed by spring snow runoff from the Sierra Nevada. Cattle ranchers also began diverting water from streams to irrigate pastures. By 1880, a railroad line through the valley provided the means to export agricultural products to market.

The Image and description for this slide were taken from: Phillips, S.E., P.A. Kelly, and D.F. Williams. 2005. Landscape Change in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Pre-European Settlement to 2000.