New Don Pedro Dam, Earth and rockfill dam in Tuolumne County, United States
New Don Pedro Dam is an earth and rockfill dam across the Tuolumne River in California's Sierra Nevada foothills. The structure spans 579 meters and creates a large reservoir that serves both water storage and electricity generation needs.
Construction began in 1967 to replace an earlier dam built in 1923, representing a major upgrade in water management for the region. The new structure expanded the capacity to serve growing agricultural and energy needs.
The dam received its name from Pierre Sainsevain, a French prospector known as Don Pedro, who established a mining settlement near the original dam location.
The site is accessible from nearby towns and offers overlooks of the reservoir and surrounding landscape. Spring and fall provide the most pleasant visiting conditions, with moderate temperatures and good visibility across the water.
Beneath the current reservoir surface lie the submerged remains of the original 1923 dam, which held the record as the world's highest dam when it was completed. This hidden history reflects how engineering and water management evolved over the generations.
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