WATER CONVEYANCE SYSTEMS IN CALIFORNIA

Historic Context Development

and Evaluation Procedures

Prepared Jointly by:

JRP Historical Consulting Services California Department of Transportation1490 Drew Avenue, Suite 110 Environmental Program/Cultural Studies OfficeDavis, CA 95616 Sacramento, CA 95814

December 2000

Environmental Program DISCLAIMER

THE CONTENTS OF THIS REPORT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS, WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FACTS AND THE ACCURACY OF THE DATA PRESENTED HEREIN. THE CONTENTS DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OFFICIAL VIEWS OR POLICIES OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA OR THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION. THIS REPORT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A STANDARD, SPECIFICATION, OR REGULATION.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report reflects the contributions of many individuals. Its strengths can be attributed to the diverseprofessional backgrounds and experiences of two multidisciplinary teams, one from the private sector and onefrom state service. John Snyder of the Caltrans Cultural Studies Office in Sacramento was responsible for thevision that prompted the study, and he oversaw the contract with JRP Historical Consulting Services toproduce the initial document. JRP staff, including Jeff Crawford, Rand Herbert, Steve Mikesell, Stephen Wee,and Meta Bunse authored the draft report under that contract. In June 1995, JRP submitted the manuscript toCaltrans, completing their responsibilities under the contract.

JRPs excellent work constitutes the body of this report, with subsequent work by Caltrans staff to meetadditional needs not foreseen in the original contract. Caltrans Cultural Studies Office staff Thad Van Bueren,Dorene Clement, Greg King, Gloria Scott, and Laurie Welch contributed to the revisions and preparation ofsupplementary material, while Kendall Schinke assisted with graphics production. Throughout the process,Meta Bunse and other staff at JRP Historical Consulting Services cooperated in the revisions and renderedinvaluable assistance, particularly with regard to the conversion of electronic files.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the many professional colleagues who shared their expertise andsuggestions during the formulation of this study. This report has benefited from their generous and thoughtfulobservations.

Any questions or comments on the study should be directed to the Chief, Cultural Studies Office, CaltransEnvironmental Program, MS 27, P.O. Box 942874, Sacramento, CA 94274-0001.

Cover Photograph: Folsom Dam (courtesy of the California Room, California State Library)

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CONTENTSACKNOWLEDGMENTS ....................................................................................................................................................i

CONTENTS.........................................................................................................................................................................iii

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................................1

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW...............................................................................................................................................3

IRRIGATION.........................................................................................................................................................................6Native American Irrigation ...........................................................................................................................................6Spanish and Mexican Period Irrigation........................................................................................................................8American Period Irrigation.........................................................................................................................................11The Legacy of Irrigation Canals .................................................................................................................................31

MINING.............................................................................................................................................................................31The Gold Rush.............................................................................................................................................................32Development of Large-Scale Mining...........................................................................................................................33Hydraulic Mining ........................................................................................................................................................38Effects of the Sawyer Decision ....................................................................................................................................48Quartz Mining .............................................................................................................................................................51Dredge Mining ............................................................................................................................................................52Return of Small-Scale Placer Mining..........................................................................................................................52The Legacy of Mining in California ............................................................................................................................53

HYDROELECTRIC SYSTEMS...............................................................................................................................................54Pioneering Development, 1890s-1910 ........................................................................................................................56Consolidation and Watershed Development, 1905 to Present ....................................................................................62Public Development of Hydroelectric Power..............................................................................................................67The Legacy of Hydroelectric Power............................................................................................................................69

COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEMS ........................................................................................................................................70RECLAMATION SYSTEMS ..................................................................................................................................................71MAJOR MULTI-PURPOSE SYSTEMS...................................................................................................................................72

The Central Valley Project..........................................................................................................................................73The State Water Project ..............................................................................................................................................80Integration of the Major Multi-Purpose Systems ........................................................................................................83

TYPICAL COMPONENTS ..............................................................................................................................................83

DIVERSION STRUCTURES..................................................................................................................................................85CONDUITS.........................................................................................................................................................................85FLOW CONTROL AND CLEANSING DEVICES ......................................................................................................................88ASSOCIATED RESOURCES AND SETTING ...........................................................................................................................88

SURVEY METHODOLOGY ...........................................................................................................................................89

RESEARCH........................................................................................................................................................................89FIELD INSPECTION AND RECORDATION.............................................................................................................................90SIGNIFICANCE EVALUATION .............................................................................................................................................92

Application of the NRHP Criteria ...............................................................................................................................92Integrity .......................................................................................................................................................................95Eligibility Details ........................................................................................................................................................95

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS...........................................................................................................................97

ENDNOTES.