Savage Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Savage Dam |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Location | San Diego County, California |
| Coordinates | 32°36′38″N 116°55′29″W / 32.61056°N 116.92472°W |
| Status | In use |
| Construction began | 1916 |
| Opening date | 1918 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Concrete arch gravity |
| Impounds | Otay River |
| Height | 149 feet (45 m) |
| Length | 750 feet (230 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lower Otay Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 49,510 acre-feet (61,070,000 m3) |
| Catchment area | 101.2 square miles (262 km2) |
| Surface area | 1,090 acres (440 ha) |
| Power station | |
| Hydraulic head | 120 feet (37 m) |
Savage Dam is a large structure built across the Otay River in the San Ysidro Mountains of southwestern San Diego County, California. It is a strong concrete dam that helps store water. This water comes from the San Diego Aqueduct and is used as a backup supply for the homes and businesses in the San Diego area. The dam is located about 6 miles (10 km) southeast of Chula Vista. It is also about 4 miles (6 km) north of the United States-Mexico border. The dam is named after H. N. Savage, who was in charge of building it.
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Savage Dam: A Water Lifeline
What is Savage Dam?
Savage Dam is a special type of dam called a concrete arch gravity dam. This means it uses both its curved shape and its heavy weight to hold back the water. It stands about 149 feet (45 meters) tall and stretches 750 feet (229 meters) across the river. The dam helps create the Lower Otay Reservoir, which can hold a lot of water. This stored water is very important for the people living in the San Diego area, especially during dry times.
A Look Back: The Original Otay Dam
Before Savage Dam, there was an older dam called the Otay Dam. It was finished in 1897. This first dam was made from earth and steel and was built by the Southern California Mountain Water Company. Its job was also to store water.
However, in 1916, something unexpected happened. There were very heavy rains, which some people believed were caused by a "rainmaker" named Charles Hatfield. He had been hired by the city of San Diego to try and end a long period of dry weather. The huge amount of rain caused the Otay Dam to break.
When the dam burst, a powerful wall of water, about 40 feet (12 meters) high, rushed downstream. This flood destroyed buildings and bridges. It also carried thousands of tons of dirt and broken pieces into San Diego Bay. Sadly, eleven Japanese American farmers lost their lives in this disaster.
Rebuilding and Its Importance
After the old dam broke, a new and stronger dam was built in its place. This new dam, named Savage Dam, was completed in 1918. Since then, Savage Dam has worked well. It continues to be a vital part of San Diego's water system, helping to ensure that the community has enough water for its needs.
