About the Dam:
Named for Denver water pioneer Walter Scott Cheesman, Cheesman Dam
was the world’s tallest at 221 feet when it was completed in 1905.
Cheesman was the first reservoir of Denver’s mountain storage
facilities and out of it grew the Denver Water system. In 1973 the
dam was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering
Landmark.
Construction of the dam originally began in 1894, and by the
spring of 1900 it was 50 feet high. However, on May 3, 1990, the
South Platte River flooded, wrecking the rails of the South Park
Railroad, destroying bridges as far north as Colfax in Denver, and
destroying the dam. In response, the dam was re-engineered to
incorporate an arch for added structural support and Portland
cement was transported up the canyon to solidify the fill. Finely
set and mortared granite blocks (built by Italian master masons)
were set to blend visually with the surrounding canyon, and the
spillway design lets water cascade down the abutting cliff rather
than over the face of the dam.
About the cache:
An easy find, but getting there will be the challenge. The
container is a blue tea box. Park at coordinates posted below, and
follow the steep trail to the east (don't worry, the rest of the
trail is not this steep). The cache is 1.0 mile away (as the crow
flies) from the parking lot, but due to the snaky nature of the
trail and elevation gains, it is quite a bit longer. Budget at
least 1 hour for the roundtrip hike. You will be rewarded with
excellent views of the dam and Cheesman Reservoir.