Redwood City in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
A Feat of Gravity
The Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System
Today, spring snowmelt from the Tuolumne River fills Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the SFPUC water system. Gravity then moves the water to over 2.7 million people. More than half flows to customers in Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties, while the rest is either delivered to San Francisco or stored in local reservoirs such as Lower Crystal Springs.
Inset Caption
You are standing near the Lower Crystal Springs Dam on San Mateo Creek. This dam was constructed in 1888 using interlocking concrete blocks. Although located adjacent to the San Andreas Fault, the dam survived both the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes without any significant damage.
Erected by Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 37° 31.787′ N, 122° 21.775′ W. Marker is in Redwood City, California, in San Mateo County. The resin marker is mounted to a metal stand below the vista point turnout off Skyline Boulevard, just north of the San Mateo Creek bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Redwood City CA 94062, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 100th Anniversary of the Crystal Springs Dam (a few steps from this marker); Officer Eugene A. Doran (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Last Stagecoach Hold-Up In San Mateo County (approx. ¼ mile away); Eugene A. Doran Memorial Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Len Turner (approx. 2.6 miles away); Historic Camp Site (approx. 2.9 miles away); Higurashi-en (approx. 3 miles away); First Business Structure (approx. 3.1 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 20, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.