Folsom Dam
Perhaps one
of the most interesting and overlooked parts of Folsom is the Folsom
Dam. If it weren't for this great structure, we wouldn't have the
wonderful benefits of Folsom
Lake, as well as much-needed flood
control throughout the Sacramento Valley!
The call for a dam in Folsom dates way back to 1944. After
re-designing to accommodate more water, the Folsom Dam began
construction on October 2, 1948. From that point until May 9, 1956,
construction was non-stop. Although not 100 percent complete, the
Dam withheld its first test in the spring of 1955, when Sacramento
endured one of its wettest winters in recorded history.
Between now
and then, Folsom Lake has seen wet spells, a dam
gate failure, as well as a couple of
droughts. Twice (in the early 1980's and 1992) the lake has gotten
so low you could see the foundations of buildings and an old bridge
from the old mining
town, Salmon Falls (go up the South fork of the lake towards current
Salmon Falls Bridge). One of the only remaining
reminders of Salmon Falls and Mormon Island is the Mormon Island relocation cemetery,
quaintly located next to Green Valley Road on the way to Brown's
Ravine.
The
Folsom Dam Road had served for
years as one of the few ways to cross the river until the
construction of Lake Natoma
Crossing. It is no longer open to public
vehicles, which is causing a large part of Folsom's traffic problems
today. The dam in in the planning modes of raising the dam height 7
feet for larger flood control, with a
new bridge being designed
to bypass the dam.
The bridge will not be open until at least 2007.
Unfortunately, due to the tragic
events of September 11, Dam tours are no longer provided to the
public, either. It is not known when (or if) the dam will re-open for future
public tours.
When the dam tour was open, it was
a pretty interesting tour. After walking throughout the main dam,
you would view the main
engine room, inspect the interior walkways throughout the structure,
and then finally climb a few flights of stairs to the top of the dam. At
the top, you were be treated to one of the greatest views around. On a
clear day you can see from Mt. Rose in the Sierra Nevada to Mt.
Diablo in the Bay Area. Also with binoculars, you are able to
get a good glimpse of Folsom Prison.
Also See: Memo
to Congress from President Truman re: the Folsom Dam
past articles about the Folsom Dam |
