Reconstruction of Prehistoric Shorelines for Cultural Restraints Using GIS

Author: Tim Krantz
Organization: University of Redlands

1200 East Colton
Duke Hall Room 211
Redlands, CA 92373
USA

Phone: 909-335-5268
Fax: 909-307-6952
krantz@cem.uor.edu

During prehistoric times, the Colorado River occasionally meandered into and filled the Salton Sea basin, creating several huge inland lakes, variously called Lake LeConte or Lake Cahuilla. Using one-meter digital orthophotographs, points were selected in the laboratory and were located in the field using a global positioning system (GPS). Point data was integrated with a digital elevation model (DEM) and elevation contours were plotted on Landsat TM images, generating a range of prehistoric shorelines. Contours were then correlated with archaeological site data, geomorphic features, and other factors to reconstruct Early American settlement patterns for Lake Cahuilla.