LOS ANGELES — The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recognized the Morris Dam in Los Angeles County, California as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. The Morris Dam is a concrete gravity dam that spans the San Gabriel River. Construction on the dam started in 1932, and it was completed in 1934. The dam is currently owned and operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.
The dedication ceremony and celebration of the dam’s 90th anniversary was held near the Morris Dam and was hosted by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and the Los Angeles Section of ASCE. The event also included ASCE Past-President Marsia Geldert-Murphey, P.E., F.ASCE, representatives from the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority, and family members of Samuel Brooks Morris, the chief engineer of the Pasadena Water Department at the time of the dam’s construction.
ASCE represents more than 160,000 members of the civil engineering profession worldwide and is the oldest national engineering society in the United States. It recognizes historically significant civil engineering projects, structures, and sites worldwide. More than 350 projects worldwide have earned the prestigious title for creativity and innovation; almost all are executed under challenging conditions.
“Water is our most valuable resource, and water infrastructure like the Morris Dam is vital to every community. Dams are important as we see more unprecedented and shifting weather patterns, by storing water to protect people and property during heavy rainfall and releasing it during droughts, providing reliable water supply,” said ASCE Past-President Marsia Geldert-Murphey, P.E., F.ASCE. “The innovative techniques and new methods used to build the Morris Dam helped advance dam construction practices, which has benefited the health, safety, and welfare of people all over the world.”
The Morris Dam was built by the Pasadena Water Department and was the first major dam approved by the California State Engineer after the failure of the St. Francis Dam in 1928. This disaster led to the first-ever state regulations of dams. The dam was originally called the Pine Canyon Dam, and its design included an open joint between two of the dam's blocks to allow movement on a seismic fault under the dam.
The dam is credited with preventing millions of dollars in damage from the Los Angeles Flood of 1938, one of the largest flood events to ever hit Southern California. It was sold to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California in 1941. The Los Angeles County of Public Works took over ownership and operation of the Morris Dam in 1995.
In addition to its role in water conservation, the Morris Dam also first served as a Naval Ordinance Test Station during World War II. The dam’s reservoir served as a testing ground for torpedoes, missiles, and other weapons used in submarine warfare. The improved weapons developed at the reservoir led the Navy to continue research and development of new weapons there until the testing facility was shut down in 1993.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a marker to honor the Morris Dam’s recognition as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Additional information about ASCE's Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Program.
About the American Society of Civil Engineers
Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 160,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society. ASCE works to raise awareness of the need to maintain and modernize the nation's infrastructure using sustainable and resilient practices, advocates for increasing and optimizing investment in infrastructure, and improve engineering knowledge and competency. For more information, visit www.asce.org or www.infrastructurereportcard.org and follow us on Twitter, @ASCETweets and @ASCEGovRel.