Salinas Dam, Salinas River near Pozo Road, Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo County, CA

Significance: The Salinas Dam, a "hoof" type, inclined, variable radius arch cam, was designed by Raymond A. Hill, an important structural engineer who worked in Los Angeles, California between 1919 and the 1960s. It retains a high degree of integrity to its appearance at the time of its construction in 1941-42. The dam is significant for its direct association with military preparedness in San Luis Obispo County just before and during the early years of World War II, and as a distinguished example of heroic engineering and construction under wartime conditions. The dam stands as a monument to the "can do" attitude of the Army and its contractors during this period, the attitude that, because great challenges were facing the nation, essentially any obstacle could be overcome given sufficient will and resources. Whether considered within the context of military construction or dam construction in California, the Salinas Dam appears to be a significant property.
Survey number: HAER CA-183
Building/structure dates: 1942 Initial Construction