Near Sanger in Fresno County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Kings River

Photographed by Ron Liles, October 25, 1981

1. Kings River Marker

In the parking lot at the top of Pine Flat Dam on the Kings River. Like many dams in California and across the country, access has been restricted to military and irrigation district employees due to the events of September 11, 2001.

Inscription. Its waters made possible the irrigation of a million fertile acres, despite a 39 year battle over water rights. From 1882 forward, 150 lawsuits were filed and early irrigators often used armed force to open headgates to water their crops. L. A. Nares proposed the first diversion plan in 1897. Broader agreements in 1921 and 1927 brought peace. Completion of Pine Flat Dam in 1956 by the U.S. Corps of Engineers for flood control and irrigation finally insured maximum use of the river's water, nearly all farmer-owned.

Erected 1981 by E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 25.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry • Natural Features • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1865.

Location. 36° 49.817′ N, 119° 19.5′ W. Marker is near Sanger, California, in Fresno County. It can be reached from Pine Flat Road 1½ miles north of Elwood Road. The monument is about 100 feet away from the top of Pine Flat Dam in what was once the parking lot for visiting the dam. About 1.5 miles north on Pine Flat Road from where Elwood Road becomes North Elwood Road. Pine Flat

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Road continues on and branches West to cross the Kings River, and branches East to drive up to the dam. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sanger CA 93657, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

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 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Choinumni (approx. 2.2 miles away); Dalton Mountain (approx. 3 miles away); William "Yank" Hazelton (approx. 6.6 miles away); Humphrey Station (approx. 11.3 miles away); Kings River - Centerville (approx. 11.7 miles away); Dunlap Cemetery (approx. 13.4 miles away); Tollhouse (approx. 13.7 miles away); Major James D. Savage (approx. 15.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sanger.

More about this marker. Since 9/11/2001, the road to the dam has been closed and is monitored by the National Guard. It is a $1,000 fine to attempt to visit the dam, so no one has been able to visit the marker since 2001.
Plans are in the works to move the marker down to Winton Park on the Kings River to allow access.

Also see . . . Kings River - Rio Rio de los Santos Reyes. A Wikipedia article with photos, history and additional information. (Submitted on February 28, 2010.)

Photographed by Lester J Letson, circa 1996

2. Kings River Marker

Picture taken from the dam parking lot looking across the river gorge to the opposite hillside.

Photographed by Lester J Letson, circa 1997

3. Kings River Marker

Picture of Pine Flat Dam from the upper road, now restricted to Military and Irrigation employees access only.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. This page has been viewed 2,184 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 9, 2017, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. 2, 3. submitted on February 26, 2010, by Lester J Letson of Fresno, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A readable photo of the marker. • Current photo of Pine Flat Dam. • Can you help?