San Gabriel Dam, Rock-fill dam in Los Angeles County, California.
San Gabriel Dam is a rock-fill embankment dam on the San Gabriel River in Los Angeles County, California, holding back a large reservoir used for water supply. Two small powerhouses sit near the base of the structure and use the flowing water to generate electricity.
Work on the dam began in the 1930s after an earlier design was replaced with a safer rock-fill approach following concerns about the site's geology. Once finished, it became a key part of the water management system serving the Los Angeles region.
The dam sits at the edge of Angeles National Forest, where mountain trails meet the open water of the reservoir. Hikers often walk along the ridgeline above the structure to take in the view of the water below.
The dam is reached through Angeles National Forest, where unpaved roads and trails lead toward the reservoir and overlooks above the structure. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, as trail conditions can change depending on the season and recent weather.
After wildfires burn through the mountains above, large amounts of ash and sediment wash into the reservoir and reduce its storage capacity. Crews must periodically dredge the basin to remove this material and restore the water volume.
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