A survey of land use patterns is beneficial to understanding the historical trends and helpful in predicting for future land use in the China Lake watershed.  The greater China Lake area has undergone significant land use changes in the past three centuries, particularly in the twentieth century (see China Lake Characteristics: Historical Perspective: Regional Land Use Trends).  Many of these changes are reflected in the China Lake watershed for the 38 year period between 1965 and 2003.  Land use changes between 1965 and 2003 clarify the historical context for the current land use and water quality within the China Lake watershed. Additionally, land use changes between 1965 and 2003 may facilitate predictions of future land use patterns.