San Gabriel Dam & Reservoir

The San Gabriel Dam is a rock-fill dam built in1939 just downstream from the confluence of the East and West Forks of the San Gabriel River.

The photo below was taken from a turnout near the front of the dam.  When talking about dam structures, references are always in relation to looking downstream.  In this photo, you can see the left abutment (looking at the photo is is on the right side of the dam) where it meets the canyon wall.

This is a slightly better view of the front of the San Gabriel Dam.

Dams block the flow of water on a river, creating a reservoir behind it.  These reservoirs - aka lakes - can serve a multitude of purposes, including storage of drinking water, flood control, or hydroelectric power.  Some have only one function, others, many.  The San Gabriel Dam was designed to provide not only flood control of the river but also hydroelectricity and serves as a groundwater recharge source.

Looking south at the top of the dam


Looking north at the reservoir behind the dam.