Santee in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mission Dam and Flume

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 17, 2026

1. Mission Dam and Flume Marker

Inscription. After many attempts dated back to 1774 to provide a reliable source of water for crops and livestock for Mission San Diego de Alcala, a dam and flume system was finished between 1813 and 1816 by Indian laborers and Franciscan Missionaries to divert waters of the San Diego River for a distance of 6 miles. The aqueduct system continued in existence until 1831 when constant flooding caused the dam and flume to fall into disrepair. They were not repaired due to secularization of the missions.

Erected 1992 by State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Mission Trails Regional Park, City of San Diego, and Squibob Chapter, E Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 52.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the E Clampus Vitus, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1774.

Location. 32° 50.378′ N, 117° 2.511′ W. Marker is in Santee, California, in San Diego County. It can be reached from Father Junipero Serra Trail, on the right when traveling

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west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9861 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego CA 92119, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular 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: Old Mission Dam (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Providing Year-Round Water (about 400 feet away); Mission Trails - Formerly Camp Elliott (approx. 2.2 miles away); KCBQ “Top 40” Personalities (approx. 2.8 miles away); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (approx. 4.8 miles away); San Diego State University (approx. 4.9 miles away); La Capilla (approx. 5.3 miles away); The Church (approx. 5.3 miles away).

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 4, 2007

2. Mission Dam and Flume Marker

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 4, 2007

3. Mission Dam and Flume Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 17, 2026

4. Mission Dam and Flume Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 17, 2026

5. Mission Dam

National Historic Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 17, 2026

6. National Historic Landmark

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 4, 2007

7. Mission Dam

Mission Trails Regional Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 4, 2007

8. Mission Trails Regional Park

Old Mission Dam Historic Site

Photographed by Michael Kindig, August 4, 2007

9. Mission Dam

Mission Aqueduct Flume image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

10. Mission Aqueduct Flume

Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,772 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 3, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on December 30, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 3, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7, 8, 9. submitted on December 31, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 10. submitted on March 31, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.