History Morris Dam

the plaque commemorating old naval weapons test center @ morris dam

the dam completed prior catastrophic los angeles flood of 1938, severe flood recorded in southern california since great flood of 1862. along san gabriel dam, @ time under construction, cogswell dam upstream , morris dam reduced flood peak on san gabriel river, saving downstream cities millions of dollars worth of damages. if not 3 dams, flow past azusa may have exceeded 150,000 cu ft/s (4,200 m/s), limited 65,700 cu ft/s (1,860 m/s), morris dam alone reducing flood peak 30,000 cu ft/s (850 m/s).

morris reservoir naval weapons test site

beginning in world war ii, morris reservoir used morris reservoir naval weapons test site u.s. navy in conjunction california institute of technology. wide variety of weapons, including torpedoes , ballistic missiles, had trial runs here. testing continued until 1990s, when of structures @ associated military compound demolished. however, concrete foundations remain , seen state route 39, runs past dam , reservoir. in 1995, mwd sold dam los angeles county department of public works, continues operate , reservoir today.