press release

Friday, April 7, 2006

Civil Engineers Designate Sweetwater Dam a Historic Landmark

SPRING VALLEY, CA -- The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) today honored California’s Sweetwater Dam for its significant historic and engineering contributions. A plaque was unveiled during a ceremony held at the Robert A. Perdue Treatment Plant, which overlooks the dam and Sweetwater Reservoir.

“At a height of 90 feet, when Sweetwater Dam was completed in 1888 it was the tallest masonry arch dam in the U.S.,” said ASCE President Dennis R. Martenson, P.E., DEE, F.ASCE. “The creativity and engineering excellence that went into designing and constructing this impressive structure served as a role model for generations of engineers to come.”

The Sweetwater Dam’s development was envisioned in 1868 by South Bay area landowner, Frank Kimball, and was engineered by James D. Schuyler, who later, in 1878, served as California’s assistant state engineer. The original structure survived three overtoppings, though during the last 118 years a number of modifications have been made, including increasing the dam’s height to 124 feet. Water impounded by the dam enabled economic development of what is now known as the National City, Chula Vista and the Bonita region, and the Sweetwater Dam and Reservoir continue to serve the public, storing local runoff and imported water.

Sweetwater Authority Board President Bud Pocklington presided over the dedication event, and was joined by state and local elected representatives, ASCE officials, water industry leaders and other community members. Dedication speakers included State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, County Supervisor Greg Cox, National City Mayor Nick Inzunza and Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla. The event also included a brief historic reenactment, provided by the Lambs Players, as well as a musical prelude, provided by the Point Loma Nazarene University String Quartet.

Founded in 1852, ASCE represents more than 137,000 civil engineers worldwide, and is America's oldest national engineering society.

Sweetwater Authority provides public water service to 177,000 residents of Chula Vista, National City and Bonita.

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