Old Mission Dam, Dam in Mission Trails Regional Park, San Diego County, US.
Old Mission Dam is a stone structure with cement features built in Mission Trails Regional Park as a water storage system. The structure extends roughly 220 feet (67 meters) in length, stands 12 feet (3.6 meters) tall, and measures about 13 feet (4 meters) wide at its base.
Spanish colonists and members of the Kumeyaay Nation built this structure in 1803 to supply water to Mission San Diego de Alcala during drought periods. It became essential infrastructure for the mission's survival and continued in use for many generations.
The dam shows early water management engineering developed by Spanish colonists working alongside Kumeyaay laborers. It stands as a symbol of colonial infrastructure adapted to handle the region's dry climate.
Visitors can reach the site by following Father Junipero Serra Trail, which is accessible from Mission Trails Regional Park. It is wise to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring plenty of water, especially on warmer days.
The system included an aqueduct with tiled channels specifically designed to limit water loss through sandy soils. This water-loss-reduction technology was advanced for its time and showed how builders reduced material waste through thoughtful engineering.
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