That DAM CACHE
Sweetwater Dam, in Spring Valley, was designed as a 60-foot high
structure, but when near completion a decision was made to raise
the dam to 90 feet, adding a year to it's completion date. It was
completed in April 1888, costing $296,000 and at the time was the
tallest dam of it's kind in the United States. In 1910 the dam was
increased to 110 feet in height.
One negative effect of the dam was that native Rainbow trout
were no longer able to migrate to the ocean to return as migrating
Steelhead up the Sweetwater river.
The Dam Train. The National City & Otay Railway,
owned by the San Diego Land & Town Company (who also built the
dam) offered a 60-mile sightseeing excursion. In 1888, for the
price of $1 you could ride "The Dam Train" over the entire 29 mile
system. Starting at 6th Avenue in downtown San Diego at the main
depot, loaded with sightseers, the rail wound its way south through
National City, Chula Vista and down to Tijuana. Turning north and
to the east the rail continued through Bonita and finally ended
near the base of the Sweetwater Dam. A popular tourist place.
In 1915 San Diego was experiencing a draught that was severely
affecting the county. In December, Charles Hatfield, a well known
southern Californian "rainmaker" was contacted by the city council
and an agreement was made. Hatfield set about the business of
activating his "evaporating tanks" with a concoction of
chemicals.
In January 1916, the area received 44 inches of rainfall in just
26 days. Sweetwater Dam's north embankment was washed away causing
an enormous wall of water to sweep down the valley destroying
everything in its path, including the rail tracks, resulting in
millions of dollars' worth of damage. When Charles Hatfield went to
claim his fees the city council declared that an act of god caused
the rains and refused to pay him.
Today the dam and reservoir are operated by the Sweetwater
Authority.
Located in the Bonita Trails system this is a leisurely, fairly
level walk on a good trail, suitable for hikers, bikers, children,
horses, and dogs on leash. Cache is a common green ammo box.
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Parking available at N32 41.83; W117 00.58 - Dead-end of Leigh
Road. Follow trails all the way to cache.
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No need to cross the streambed. Stay on the trail and it will
"switch-back" to where you need to be. To the "right" (South) of
the trail at the foot of the rock wall hidden by a few flat rocks.
Step off the path near the point where the path comes to it's
closest point to the cliff.
