Savage Dam, Gravity dam in San Diego County, United States
Savage Dam is a concrete gravity dam that crosses the Otay River and forms the Lower Otay Reservoir for the San Diego region. The structure holds back water to supply drinking water and irrigation needs for the surrounding communities.
The original Otay Dam failed in 1916 during heavy rainfall and caused significant damage downstream. A new dam was rebuilt at the same location to restore the water storage system for the region.
The reconstruction project in 1918 honored H. N. Savage by naming the new structure after him, marking a shift in local engineering practices.
The site is accessible via trails that run along the reservoir and offer views of the water storage area. Visitors should check local conditions since access may vary depending on maintenance work or safety protocols.
The dam failure of 1916 connected to Charles Hatfield, who claimed to generate rain through secret chemical formulas released into the atmosphere.
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