Water and Changes - Westly, CA - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

"In prehistoric times, the San Joaquin Valley was a vast grassland, veined with rivers and tule marshes. Northern Yokuts Indians lived in villages along the rivers and harvested salmon, sturgeon, geese and ducks. They depended heavily on the tule, a reed-like marsh plant, using it for food, baskets, boats, shelters and even clothing. Native grasses added protein and salt to their diet and provided fiber for their basketry. When European settlers arrived, the native perennial grasslands were first used to raise livestock. Although soils were fertile, the valley's low rainfall and long summer dry season made farming difficult. The valley's pioneer farmers formed cooperatives to build large-scale irrigation systems. Tapping the rivers and sloughs, they gradually drained the tule marshes and transformed the valley into spectacularly productive irrigated farmland. Today's network of canals and aqueducts has profoundly altered the valley's original semi-arid condition. Little remains of the ancient grasslands and tule marshes which occupied this area only two centuries ago."

Group that erected the marker: Cal Trans Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: Hway 5 Westly, CA USA URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed

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