The formation of Poway Municipal Water District in 1954 and the availability of a reliable water supply from the San Diego Aqueduct enabled the town of Poway, with a population in the hundreds, to begin a rapid growth spurt that has never really abated.
By 1959, the water board realized that expanded facilities for the delivery and storage of water for the growing population would be needed, necessitating the development of a master plan. The city’s engineering firm called for the construction of a dam to store our imported water for emergencies and peak usage.
They recommended a site between High Valley and Green Valley Truck Trail ( now Blue Sky Ranch) known as Warren Canyon, for a family who had long lived there.
Bond elections to generate money for the dam had failed to secure the required 2/3 majority in 1963 and 1966, but a third vote in June of 1969 received an overwhelming 87 percent yes vote.
The district soon acquired the needed land. To put it kindly, the old survey records weren’t highly accurate. There were two markers for the same corner intersection of properties that were 200 feet apart. That had to be ed for adjustments in approving payments for purchase.
Major construction projects could move ahead a lot faster before environmental studies and other bureaucratic hurdles, and ground was broken for Lake Poway dam in October of 1970. The earthen dam would stand 160 feet above the stream bed, 1,000 feet wide at the base and 20 feet at the top. A combination of material layers was designed to decrease the chance of leakage or rupture.
A filtration plant, later to become the notorious Clear Wells, was also begun.
In April of 1971, the water board approved plans for recreational facilities to be constructed adjacent to the lake. State funds provided through the Davis-Grunsky Act would finance most of the planned improvements, the minimum allowable under the act.
The contract for construction of the recreation amenities was awarded in March of 1972 to Ralph Nelson, a Poway contractor who was lowest of 10 bidders on the project. Included were a 100-foot boat dock, a 100-foot fishing pier, a concession building, restrooms, and a picnic area with 75 tables and 17 acres of landscaping.
A ceremony marking the opening of a valve putting the first water into the lake was held on Nov. 17, 1971. About 75 invited guests attended.
In a somewhat unusual ceremony, Agnes Frame end Eileen Tassell, wives of the district manager and a director, poured champagne into the first flowing water.
By July of 1972, the lake had been filled, with approximately 70 surface acres and containing some 3,800 acre-feet of water, and work on the improvements was well underway. The landscaping included 10 acres of turf, a mixture of Kentucky Bluegrass. Meadow fescue and coastal Bermuda.
Among the 150 trees would be a number of specimen trees in 15-gallon cans or 24-inch boxes. There would be a total of 41 Monterey pines, 41 London Plane (sycamore) and 26 red gum eucalyptus. (Many of the trees were one-gallon-size. My father, who had been on the original board, grumbled that there should have been more of the larger trees. The age of time has taken care of that.)
A boat dock building went in at water’s edge for selling fishing licenses and refreshments.
Dedication of Lake Poway Recreation Area was scheduled for Oct. 28, 1972. Dignitaries invited to attend included of the San Diego Chargers, broadcaster Al Coupee, and a variety of elected officials.
The event attracted a crowd estimated at 5,000. In addition to speeches, public events included a pit barbecue, boat rides, a fast-draw competition and autograph gs by Chargers Pettis Norman and Mike Garrett. The Poway High School band performed.
The lake, which had already been stocked with bass, trout, redear sunfish, crappie and channel catfish would be opened to the public on Nov. 4.
Fifty years later, Lake Poway’s recreation area Is hugely popular. Its many attractions include fishing, picnic areas, an archery range, scheduled overnight camping, settings for weddings and other special events, and an extensive trails network that goes around the lake with a spur heading up Mount Woodson to the notorious Potato Chip Rock (not actually in Poway).
To the delight of Powegians, and because the Davis-Grunsky grant required it, park ission remains free for Poway residents, although non-residents pay to enter on weekends and holidays.
It can be hard to that the original (and main) purpose of Lake Poway is to provide us with a water supply.
Shepardson is president of the Poway Historical and Memorial Society.
