Crystal Springs Dam
Encyclopedia
Crystal Springs Dam is a gravity dam constructed across the San Mateo Creek, impounding water to form the Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir
in San Mateo County, California
.
The structure was completed in 1888, and has survived both the 1906 San Francisco earthquake
and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake — despite its location directly on the San Andreas Fault
.
The dam has a road running over it and forms the trailhead of the popular Sawyer Camp Trail
.
Currently the dam is undergoing renovations. The dam is being raised to increase the water storage capacity of the reservoir as well as other changes. The roadway on top of the dam is closed.
Crystal Springs Reservoir
Crystal Springs Reservoir is a pair of artificial lakes located in the northern Santa Cruz Mountains of San Mateo County, California situated in the rift valley created by the San Andreas Fault just to the west of the cities of San Mateo and Hillsborough, and I-280...
in San Mateo County, California
San Mateo County, California
San Mateo County is a county located in the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. It covers most of the San Francisco Peninsula just south of San Francisco, and north of Santa Clara County. San Francisco International Airport is located at the northern end of the county, and...
.
The structure was completed in 1888, and has survived both the 1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was a major earthquake that struck San Francisco, California, and the coast of Northern California at 5:12 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 1906. The most widely accepted estimate for the magnitude of the earthquake is a moment magnitude of 7.9; however, other...
and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake — despite its location directly on the San Andreas Fault
San Andreas Fault
The San Andreas Fault is a continental strike-slip fault that runs a length of roughly through California in the United States. The fault's motion is right-lateral strike-slip...
.
The dam has a road running over it and forms the trailhead of the popular Sawyer Camp Trail
Sawyer Camp Trail
Sawyer Camp Trail is a popular six mile trail located in the San Andreas Fault rift valley in San Mateo County, California near Hillsborough and the San Mateo Highlands. Approximately 300,000 people use the trail every year. It provides excellent views of San Francisco Peninsula's Crystal...
.
Currently the dam is undergoing renovations. The dam is being raised to increase the water storage capacity of the reservoir as well as other changes. The roadway on top of the dam is closed.