The formation of the Poway Municipal Water District in 1954 and the availability of a reliable water source from the San Diego Aqueduct allowed the city of Poway, which has a population of hundreds, to begin an immediate expansion that never abated.
In 1959, the water board learned that increased services would be required for the delivery and storage of water for the developing population, which would require the progression of a master plan. The city’s engineering company requested the structure of a dam to buy our imported water in case of emergency and peak.
They a site between High Valley and Green Valley Truck Trail (now Blue Sky Ranch) known as Warren Canyon, by a circle of relatives who had lived there for a long time.
Bond elections to generate cash for the dam failed to obtain the required 2/3 majority in 1963 and 1966, but a third ballot in June 1969 garnered an overwhelming majority of 87 percent.
The district temporarily acquired the land. To put it mildly, previous survey records were not very accurate. There were two markers for the same intersection angle of houses 200 feet apart. This had to be taken into account for changes when approving acquisition payments.
Major structure projects can move much faster before environmental studies and other bureaucratic hurdles, and the damaged floor for the Lake Poway Dam in October 1970. feet at the top. A mixture of layers of fabrics has been designed to decrease the threat of leakage or breakage.
A filtration plant was also inaugurated, which later became the well-known Clear Wells.
In April 1971, the Water Board approved plans for the structure of recreational services adjacent to the lake. The public budget provided through the Davis-Grunsky Act would fund the maximum of planned improvements, the minimum allowed by law.
The contract for the structure of recreational services awarded in March 1972 to Ralph Nelson, a Poway contractor who was the lowest of the project’s 10 bidders. Toilets and picnic area with 75 tables and 17 acres of gardens.
Rite that marked the opening of a valve that put the first water in the lake made on November 17, 1971. About 75 visitors attended.
In a sort of ceremony, Agnes Frame and Eileen Tassell, wives of the district director and a director, served champagne at the first source of running water.
By July 1972, the lake had been filled, with approximately 70 acres of surface and containing about 3800 acre-feet of water, and innovations were advanced. The landscape included 10 acres of lawn, a mix of Kentucky Bluegrass. .
Among the 150 trees, there would be a number of trees in 15-gallon containers or 24-inch boxes. There would be a total of 41 Monterey pines, 41 airplane trees (sycamore) and 26 red rubber eucalyptus. (Many of the trees were the length of a gallon. My father, who had been in the original painting, complained that there have been taller trees. The passage of time has taken care of this).
A boat dock construction entered the waterfront to sell fishing licenses and soft drinks.
The Lake Poway Recreation Area was scheduled to open on October 28, 1972. Among the dignitaries invited to attend were members of the San Diego Chargers, Al Coupee and elected officials.
The occasion drew an estimated crowd of 5,000. In addition to speeches, public occasions included a barbecue, boating, a sweepstakes contest and autograph signings through porters Pettis Norman and Mike Garrett. He played the band Poway High School.
The lake, which in the past had been populated by bass, trout, red sunfish, mariganas and catfish, would be open to the public on November 4.
Fifty years later, Lake Poway Recreation Area is incredibly popular. Its many attractions include fishing, picnic areas, an archery range, scheduled night camps, venues for weddings and other special events, and an extensive network of trails that circles the lake with a spur that leads Mount Woodson to the famous Potato Chip Rock (not in Poway).
To the delight of Powegians, and because the Davis-Grunsky grant required it, park admission remains low for Poway residents, although non-residents pay admission on weekends and holidays.
It can be hard to realize that the original (and main) goal of Lake Poway is to provide us with a water supply.
Shepardson is president of the Poway Historical and Memorial Society.
Then and now
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