Many local men were employed in the construction of the dam and also as “flume walkers” to check for leaks. Later, La Mesa Dam was built and used until Murray Dam was constructed in 1916. Distribution lines furnished water to Lakeside and other communities. The flume water went on to Grossmont where there was a small diverting dam known as Eucalyptus Reservoir. The diverting dam where the water was diverted into the 37 mile flume line to the El Cajon valley was finished in 1888.
was incorporated and the Cuyamaca earthen dam was built. Construction of the flume was begun. Redwood lumber was brought by boat to San Diego harbor, cut to the required lengths and loaded on wagons for the trip inland. Over 800 mules and horses, and 100 wagons were required to transport the nearly 9 million board feet redwood used on this project. In 1885 the only source of water for the watering of small gardens and orchards was wells with windmills.
