Schaeffer Dam Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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More history
When the first settlers arrived in this portion of the 'Great American Desert' there were large herds of antelope, deer, and other wild animals. Beaver Creek was alive with fish, wild grapes, plums, currents and cherries. It was a land of plenty. They were soon rewarded with excellent crops watered by plentiful pure water from this creek. Small water companies were formed to irrigate more land. Seventy five miles of cement water pipes was laid by 400 Spaniards who were paid 40 cents a day without room and board. Rattlesnakes were a huge problem for them. By 1910 Schaeffer Dam was built. During its construction eleven stripped railroad locomotives were dumped into its base. By 1919 the community of Penrose was very prosperous, water was plentiful and farmers made the area the largest fruit growing district in the state.
Then came the eventual year of 1921. The rains began in early May and continued relentlessly. The Schaeffer Dam could not stand the pressure of the floodwaters. On June 5, 1921 it broke. Water rushed down the valley wiping out every tree, house, and object in its path. The sound it made was terrifying. Not only Penrose was wiped out but every community along the river was destroyed. Swallows and Concrete were swept away. The high water mark on the Pueblo Depot testifies to what a momentous event it was.
Spencer Penrose stepped in and rebuilt a temporary reservoir until Brush Hollow was constructed. Penrose now gets its water from Brush Hollow and Skagway reservoirs but a plentiful supply is only theoretically possible. There is barely enough water for domestic use. Still the climate is ideal, the soil productive, we're just waiting for the rains to come 'again'.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ovt rabhtu sbe n Ubgry.