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| Landmark #797 | Placer County | Visited: July 12, 2015 | Plaque? NO. 🙁 |
| What is it? | The outlet gates are still there! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Conflicting control of these gates, first built in 1870, resulted in the two-decade “Tahoe Water War” between lakeshore owners and downstream Truckee River water users. The dispute was settled in 1910-11 when techniques for determining water content in snow, developed by Dr. James E. Church, Jr., made possible the accurate prediction and control of the seasonal rise in lake and river levels.
OTHER TIDBITS: The outlets were the pet project of Prussian engineer, Colonel Alexis Waldemar von Schmidt, who wanted to build the grandest aqueduct in the world, stretching from Lake Tahoe to San Francisco! He asked for $10 million in bonds from the San Francisco government to do it! This project ran into opposition from the government on the Nevada side, who felt they were being robbed of water, and by lots of locals who complained the government should not be giving away public lands to a private company! The federal government took control of water distribution from there and set standards for lake levels, like a 6,229.1 foot maximum lake level! This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: 73 N Lake Blvd (Hwy 89), at SW corner of Truckee River Bridge Tahoe City, CA 96145 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~472mi (760km) — 7.9hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |
