Page 9 - dort1948

Page 4

mapping the additional aouthern third of the resulting

area. Thia report is submitted 1n partial fulfillment

or the requirements tor the degree of Master ot Science

at the California Institute or technology.

fhe climate ot the eastern portion or the

Ventura Baain 1a of the semi-arid t7pe. '?he mean annual

rainfall at Newhall 1a approximately 17 inches. and the

mean annual temperature 1s slightly- higher than 61•

Fahrenheit. Even the Santa Clara River, wh1oh flows

through the center ot the area, is an intermittent

stream. Live water 1s present only after cloudbursts

or prolonged heavy rains.

The vegetation is of the Sonoran type,

oons1st1ng almost entirely of sage and greasewood with

oA.oti and decidedly sharp-pointed yucoas scattered

about. A tew trees grow along the valley bottoms, or

1n other relatively moist places.

The vegetation is relatively thick on the

north-taoing slopes, where evaporation ot the scanty

supply ot moisture is not as rapid as 1t ia on the

southerly slopes which su.tter the :f'u.11 impact ot the sun.

The tlat-surtaoad tarraoes are capped b7 a soil cover

tbat is excellent for cultivation.