BajaNomad - What is this structure by Guerrero Negro?

What is this structure by Guerrero Negro?

whatisthis - 8-3-2024 at 04:37 PM

Hello nomads,

I've been asking this question around online and folks suggested that I post here.

I was exploring the area around Guerrero Negro in Google Maps and I found this strange structure on the east side of the peninsula that seems manmade but partially completed and now overflowing with algae-covered water. It's at least 70km away from Highway 1 without any well-defined roads to get machinery to that area. There looks to be large letters carved in the ground that read "LA MEXICANA" near the north side of the structure but it might say something else or be cut off.

The structure can be seen on google maps here, with terrain mode on: https://maps.app.goo.gl/X8ZMfBHEoiL3rWkAA

People have suggested that it may be a salt or lithium evaporation pond, although it seems light on infrastructure for that to be the case. Maybe it has been abandoned?

Thanks for all of your help.

[Edited on 8-3-2024 by whatisthis]

AKgringo - 8-3-2024 at 05:05 PM

Using the same Google link, check out the abandoned salt works just north of San Evaristo, they look very much alike.

They probably were both established by mainland fishing companies before refrigeration was common on the larger ships.

By the way, welcome to the forum! :thumbup:

[Edited on 8-4-2024 by AKgringo]

David K - 8-4-2024 at 08:49 AM

Calling 4x4abc!
Harald not only studies satellite imagery, but he has driven right by that lagoon as it is along the 'No Whimps Trail'.

StuckSucks - 8-4-2024 at 04:09 PM

That's Punta la Salina to the east.

mtgoat666 - 8-4-2024 at 05:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by whatisthis

Hello nomads,

I've been asking this question around online and folks suggested that I post here.

I was exploring the area around Guerrero Negro in Google Maps and I found this strange structure on the east side of the peninsula that seems manmade but partially completed and now overflowing with algae-covered water. It's at least 70km away from Highway 1 without any well-defined roads to get machinery to that area. There looks to be large letters carved in the ground that read "LA MEXICANA" near the north side of the structure but it might say something else or be cut off.

The structure can be seen on google maps here, with terrain mode on: https://maps.app.goo.gl/X8ZMfBHEoiL3rWkAA

People have suggested that it may be a salt or lithium evaporation pond, although it seems light on infrastructure for that to be the case. Maybe it has been abandoned?

Thanks for all of your help.

[Edited on 8-3-2024 by whatisthis]

Abandoned evaporation ponds for salt production.

David K - 8-4-2024 at 06:31 PM

I think...

Too remote for any modern salt works. No road is built to it and no population to work it.

mtgoat666 - 8-4-2024 at 08:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

I think...

Too remote for any modern salt works. No road is built to it and no population to work it.

Modern? It’s abandoned!
The non-mechanized salt evap ponds have looked like that for thousands of years.
These ponds look just like the hand-worked ponds you still see in India, for example.
Not much population needed to run a small couple-acre pond like posted here. Takes a few people to place the berms. Takes almost no one to watch the water evaporate for a few months. Take a few people to harvest salt. Temp labor similar to a fish camp.

Btw, on GE this location looks like a small graben with negligible hydologic basin area. Good spot to build a salt pond and avoid inlow of sediment/water from storms.

some images

PaulW - 8-5-2024 at 08:21 AM

2016 tracks by Nomads

The No Wimps track

Two primary lock gates. One N of BC border and one at teh BC border.
Between the two gates is private property.
[file]47116[/file]

Wimp gates.jpg - 106kB

[Edited on 8-5-2024 by PaulW]

mtgoat666 - 8-5-2024 at 01:17 PM

There are lots of old-timey seawater evaporation ponds in baja: san felipe, san evaristo, isla san jose, GN, isla carmen. Isla carmen also had mining of salt from old salt lake. The old-timey salt evaporation at GN grew to be the mega-mitsubishi operation. There is still old timey salt production in san felipe and san evaristo.

19th century uses for salt were industrial, mining, food preservation, etc. today most salt is used used to make plastics. GN salt is all shipped to asia mfg plastics. Imho, The world needs less plastic.