Cummings Valley Explained
Cummings Valley is in California's Tehachapi Mountains.
Cummings Valley was settled by the Kawaiisu people before the arrival of white Americans, largely of Irish origin[1], in the 1850s.[2] The region's agriculture began with livestock and dry farming as water was not imported until 1973. This water consists of 20,000 acre-feet of water annually from the State Water Project pumped 3,425 vertical feet from the Grapevine area.[3] These imports, including their use to recharge the natural water basin have been impacted by the ongoing climate-change-caused megadrought.[4]
Agriculture remains a large part of the Cummings Valley economy, including greenhouses and vineyards.[5]
Stallion Springs and the California Correctional Institution are both located in Cummings Valley.
The dominant geographical feature in Cummings Valley is Cummings Mountain to the southeast.[6] Many portions of the valley retain their valley oak-dominated, natural savannah state.[7] Other oaks in Cummings Valley include black oaks.[8]
References
35.11°N -118.6°W
Notes and References
- "Pen In Hand: Ireland in Tehachapi — a touch of Erin" by John Hammond. Tehachapi News. September 1, 2016. Accessed June 3, 2022.
- "TCCWD History," Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District. Accessed June 3, 2022.
- "Facts about the Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District." Tehachapi News. September 1, 2016. Accessed June 3, 2022.
- "Cummings Basin enters 2022 with new water rules" by Claudia Elliot. Tehachapi News. January 1, 2022. Accessed June 3, 2022.
- "Chuck McCollough: 93 years for this champion of the Tehachapi lifestyle" by John Hammond. Tehachapi News. October 27, 2020. Accessed June 3, 2022.
- "Visitor Guide: Elevation of Mountain Peaks" by John Hammond. Tehachapi News. May 18, 2017. Accessed June 3, 2022.
- "Valley Oak Savanna: you don't have to go to Africa to see savanna habitat" by John Hammond. Tehachapi News. February 12, 2018. Accessed June 3, 2022.
- "Black Oaks: a higher elevation Tehachapi oak that gets all dressed up for autumn" by John Hammond. Tehachapi News. October 14, 2017. Accessed June 3, 2022.