Imperial County

Imperial County California Seal
Imperial County California Seal

Imperial County is a County in the South Eastern Section of the State of California and features include the Colorado River and Desert. The last county in California was formed in 1907 and is also the smallest with the total population in 2010 at just under 175,000 citizens. The county seat is hosted by El Centro

Imperial County has its share of issue with water, unemployment and crime being high on its list of issues. Despite these problems, the county hosts a variety of fun locations to visit and explore including: Fort Yuma, Salvation Mountains, The Salton Sea, and Anza-Borrgeo Desert State Park.

Brief History

Early exploration was first done by the Spanish explorer Melchor Diaz in 1540. Subsequent exploration was complete by Juan Bautista de Anza in 1776.

In 1900, California Governor James Budd directed the California Development Company to construct irregation canals between the Colorado River and the Salton Sink. The purpose of these canals was to promotion agriculture in the sink, and for a few brief years the area was fertile.

In early 1905, following torrential rains, the Colorado River broke through an irrigation canal and washed out farms, fields and roads on its way to the Salton Sink. - Credit: both: Imperial Irrigation District.
In early 1905, following torrential rains, the Colorado River broke through an irrigation canal and washed out farms, fields and roads on its way to the Salton Sink. – Credit: both: Imperial Irrigation District.

Torrential rainfall and snow melt in 1905, caused the Colorado River to flood and overrun the third intake. The the next two years, the entire volume of the Colorado River poured into the Salton Sink and formed the Salton Sea. The flooding continued until the Colorado was again held within its banks with the help and President Theodore Roosevelt who funded the project. Thousands of men moved tons of earth hauled by rail and finally close the mighty river into its banks on Fed 7, 1907.

Imperial County Trail Map

Imperial County Points of Interest

Articles published by Destination 4x4 which are tagged as points of interest located in Imperial County, Nevada.

View showing steamboat Cochan on the Colorado River near Yuma, Arizona in 1900 - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Colorado Steamships

From 1852 through 1909, Colorado Steamships ferried people and supplies up and down the Colorado River to mining camps and outposts. Following the discovery of…
[Circa 1905] Tumco Historic Mining Town, California - Hedges California

Hedges California – Imperial County Ghost Town

Previously known as Tumco, Hedges California is a ghost town and former mining town located in Imperial County, California along the Tumco Wash in the…
Potholes California is a Colorado River Steamship landing.

Potholes California – Colorado River Steamship Landing

Potholes is a former gold mining camp and ghost town located in Imperial County, California.

The Plank Road

The old plank road was unique solution to the common problem of sand dunes in the south west and the last link to connect San…

Imperial County Ghost Towns

[Circa 1905] Tumco Historic Mining Town, California - Hedges California

Hedges California – Imperial County Ghost Town

Previously known as Tumco, Hedges California is a ghost town and former mining town located in Imperial County, California along the Tumco Wash in the…
Potholes California is a Colorado River Steamship landing.

Potholes California – Colorado River Steamship Landing

Potholes is a former gold mining camp and ghost town located in Imperial County, California.

References