Angeles National Forest near Azusa in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Cogswell Dam

West Fork - San Gabriel River

Photographed by Craig Baker

1. Cogswell Dam Marker

Inscription.
Los Angeles County Flood Control District - Cogswell Dam.
Purpose: Flood control and water conservation.
Type: Rockfill.
Drainage Area: 39.2 square miles.
Storage Capacity: 12,300 acre-feet.
Crest Height: 265 feet.
Completed: 1934.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 34° 14.606′ N, 117° 57.854′ W. Marker is near Azusa, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Angeles National Forest. It is on West Fork Trail 8 miles west of San Gabriel Canyon Road (California Route 39), on the right when traveling west. Road only open to foot and bicycle traffic. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Azusa CA 91702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: D.A.R. Society’s Fiftieth Anniversary (approx. 4½ miles away); Adams Pack Station (approx. 4.7 miles away); Vetter Mountain Fire Lookout (approx. 5.2 miles away); The Mount Wilson 100 Inch Telescope (approx. 5½ miles away); The 100-Inch Hooker Telescope (approx. 5½ miles away); Michelson Pier on Mount Wilson

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(approx. 5½ miles away); Benjamin Davis Wilson (approx. 5.8 miles away); Harvard’s Mount Wilson Station (approx. 5.8 miles away).

More about this marker. The dam is located on the West Fork of the San Gabriel River, serving mainly for flood control in conjunction with San Gabriel Dam and Morris Dam downstream. Access is via West Fork Trail which is eight miles of scenic paved road, only open to hiking, fishing, bicycles, wheelchairs, and authorized vehicles. It follows the West Fork of the San Gabriel River, and is a National Scenic Bikeway. The road has a steep 300-foot climb at the dam. West Fork Trail is shown on various maps as: Devils Canyon Dam Truck Trail; West Fork National Scenic Bikeway; Forest Route 2N25; and Forest Route 232N25. There are parking lots on Highway 39 where it crosses the West Fork River. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park in the National Forest and must be purchased in advance.
During maintenance work in the area, the trail is open on weekends and federal holidays only. Otherwise, it is open every day.