Imperial County Ghost Towns and 4x4 Trails

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.