El Capitan Dam
Encyclopedia
El Capitan Dam is an embankment dam
on the San Diego River
in southern California
. Completed in 1934, the dam forms El Capitan Reservoir
and serves mainly to supply water to the city of San Diego
as well as providing flood control. It is the largest storage facility in San Diego's water supply system.
Embankment dam
An embankment dam is a massive artificial water barrier. It is typically created by the emplacement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil, sand, clay and/or rock. It has a semi-permanent waterproof natural covering for its surface, and a dense, waterproof...
on the San Diego River
San Diego River
The San Diego River is a river in San Diego County, California. It originates in the Cuyamaca Mountains northwest of the town of Julian, then flows to the southwest until it reaches the El Capitan Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the river's watershed at . Below El Capitan Dam, the river runs...
in southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Completed in 1934, the dam forms El Capitan Reservoir
El Capitan Reservoir
El Capitan Reservoir is a reservoir in central San Diego County, California about 30 miles northeast of the city of San Diego and two miles north of the town of Alpine. The reservoir is formed by El Capitan Dam on the San Diego River and has a capacity of . The 237-foot dam is composed of...
and serves mainly to supply water to the city of San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
as well as providing flood control. It is the largest storage facility in San Diego's water supply system.