2. History
San Diego River’s history is long and winding.
Has existed for more than two million years
Extends for more than 50 miles
Flows through Mission Trails Park one of the largest Urban Parks.
Kumeyaay used the river to their advantage
Even before Europeans arrived Kumeyaay realized they needed to control the flow and
direction of river
They used rocks to create ponds and marshes which helped develop the land. By
damming the river the Kumeyaay were able to create areas to bathe as well as create
habitats for animals such as fish.
They used plants and other materials to build homes, to create clothes, and to make
other useful items. Any of the material and resources found in Mission Trails Park would
be things that the Kumeyaay would have used.
Some plants native to the area are black mustard, buckwheat, black sage, deerweed,
and poison oak. Kumeyaay would use these plants in their daily lives.
3. History
According to Ruth Alter, “It is likely that the Park's natural landscape was
altered in the past by Kumeyaay intervention.”
These interventions allowed the Kumeyaay to prosper and survive.
According to Kumeyaay history the river would change directions causing their
migration patterns to change
For the Kumeyaay the river was their lifeline
Kumeyaay knew the land needed to be kept clean in order to keep living off
the land
The river has changed courses many times and before the Spanish arrived
the river flowed into Mission Bay and the San Diego Bay
Due to its unreliable nature the Spaniards used Indigenous people to
construct the first dam.
4. Sacred River
“And down there, the river – source of water, source of legend. Source of life.”
The river has always been an important feature to the Kumeyaay. It is sacred to them and their
way of life.
The river was sacred so they made sure to allow it to remain as natural as possible.
According to Kumeyaay legend if you follow the path of the river you will be able to trace the
history of all of its inhabitants.
Larry Banegas of Barona relates a tale passed down through oral history:
“Sometimes the river changed directions. It didn’t always run where it does now. For
thousands of years, the people were in one place. Then the river changed directions and
parted the people as well as the land. After a time, the river came back together. When it
did, the people were completely different in the language they spoke and the way that they
thought.”
And with that the mysterious river comes to life, as does its true beauty. Through
oral history one is given a glimpse at why the Kumeyaay did their best not to
destroy the land.
5. Old Mission Dam
Old Mission Dam
is located in
Mission Trails
Park and as can
be seen in the
photos it is still
functioning and
an important
feature to the
landscape.
First dam to cross San Diego Old Mission Dam on the
River. Circa 1813 San Diego River
6. Ebbs and Flows
As the river was subject to droughts and flooding settlers began to make plans that
would allow them to control the river.
During the late 1800’s Kumeyaay tribes would lose their land and river.
The loss of some 3,000 acres would eventually be the home of the El Capitan
Dam.
Such losses would force the Kumeyaay tribes into poverty, that would not end for
many decades.
The El Capitan brought the first sign of hope. It would bring about the first real
attempt at controlling the floods.
As San Diego continued to grow there would be a need for water, thus forcing the
city to outsource for water.
The loss of land would only continue as the 20th century began.
7. 20th Century Vs. the River
The river faced its greatest changes in the
20th century.
The development of Mission Valley would
prove to be too much for the San Diego River
The constant flooding and droughts forced
the city to begin purchasing water from
Southern California Mountain Water
Company
Because of natural flooding, San Diegans
feared that the Dams would fail. Forcing the
city to destroy the Switzer Canyon Reservoir.
This man made disaster would flood
downtown San Diego.
Bridge located in Old Town that was
destroyed by flooding. Circa 1916 (right)
8. 20th Century Vs. The River
Majority of changes occurred in the latter part of the 20th century.
During the early part of the century what we call Mission Valley was all agricultural
land
This agricultural period lasted until the 1940’s
The late 1940’s would bring about the redevelopment of Mission Bay. This
redevelopment would now force the river to empty into the ocean instead of the
bays.
After the war and beginning with the 1950’s San Diego shifted gears and became
more metropolitan
Between 1950 and the 1970’s Mission Valley was redeveloped to include shops,
hotels and restaurants, culminating in the 1980’s with the San Diego River
Improvement Project.
Even though this project would cause walls, bridges and barriers to be built to
keep the river running in a controlled course the river has been known to flood.
Much of this flooding occurs near Fashion Valley Mall and Qualcomm Stadium.
9. The Future
The changing
landscape of
Mission Valley in
1961. At one point
the river ran right
through Mission
Valley, but with
multiple course
changes and a
growing city the
river began to
shrink.
10. Our River
Mission Trails Map. Shows the current Redevelopment map of Mission
path of the river. Bay. Circa 1948
11. What We See Today
San Diego River from a bridge in
Mission Valley taken in the
afternoon.
The landscape around the river
varies.
The immediate surroundings
include plants, shrubs and ducks.
When you turn around you are
made aware of the city that
surrounds the river.
Cars go driving by, there is smog
and plenty of pollution
12. Top Left: San
Diego River
flooding in 1979.
Top Right:
Personal photo
of the river taken
this year
Bottom Center:
Personal photo
taken this year.
13. Redevelopment Underway
Mission Valley today after its transformation
through the Redevelopment Project.
Even though the river is not as vast, the
redevelopment project has been able to
preserve much of the habitat.
Redevelopment project has been recognized
for its preservation efforts as well as its control
of flooding.
14. Today and Beyond
With a century of changes it is no wonder the San Diego River still exists.
We are left with a much smaller river, but one that is still majestic.
Even though the river has experienced many changes the natural habitat has
managed to remain in tact. This habitat is still home to ducks and many native
plants.
No matter the changes the river will always be a force in San Diego.
It tends to be ignored unless it has rained and flooded the valley.
One nice feature in Mission Valley is the bike and walking trail that spans
much of the river.
With a majority of the river running through Mission Valley conservation has
become important.
15. Today and Beyond
In 2001 The San Diego River Park Foundation was created.
This non-profit organization raises money in hopes of connecting communities
together through the river.
Their goal is to a healthy river system that is connected by open spaces,
parks, and community facilities that span the length of the river.
The beauty of this organization is that they are attempting to bring a
community together again, by using the land.
We are so disconnected from the land, thus allowing the river to become an
afterthought rather than a concern.
But with the help of the river foundation it may be possible to see the river as
an attraction again.
16. Importance
The river is an important San Diego icon that should be explored.
One should see the rover as an extension of one of the largest urban parks in
the United States, Mission Trails.
If you view the river in this way you tend to see things in a different light and
grasp the importance of conservation.
Everyone should go and view the river and watch it course through the valley
and should visit the Old Dam. I see the river as one of the oldest historical
objects that we have access to.
Even though we do not rely on the river as we once did, animals and other
ecosystems do so we must do our part to conserve the river.
I say go out and explore. Go explore the landscape, see something new.
Maybe you’ll find new inspiration and a new passion.
17. Do Your Part
Go out and enjoy, but remember we need to do our part to keep the river
going.
Join a conservation organization.
Inform your family and friends about the importance of the river
Remember that the river was once the source of water for all of San Diego so
appreciate it. And appreciate how far we have come since then.
“People have come and gone for a thousand years and will continue to for a
thousand more. And still, the river will run.” (Chet Barfield)
The Kumeyaay understand the river, lets learn from their stories and their
traditions.
18. Works Cited
Alter, Ruth. "The Kumeyaay Period in Mission Trails Regional Park." Mission
Trails Regional Park Online. Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation.
Web. 25 Mar. 2012. http:/www.mtrp.org/history
Barfield, Chet. "A River Ins Through It." Kumeyaay.com. Kumeyaay. Web. 2
Apr. 2012. www.kumeyaay.com
Cruz, Manny. "Daily Business Report - Sept. 29, 2011." San Diego Metro
Magazine. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. sandiegometro.com
Freischlag, Linda, ed. ”The Role of the San Diego River in the Development of
Mission Valley." The Journal of San Diego History 17.2 (1971). San Diego
History Center. University of San Diego. Web. 1 Apr. 2012.
www.sandiegohistory.org
19. Works Cited Continued
"History of the San Diego River Park Foundation." History of the San
Diego River Park Foundation. Web. 30 Mar. 2012
www.sandiegoriver.org
Kuhn, Gerald G., and Francis P. Shepard Sea Cliffs, Beaches, and
Coastal Valleys of San Diego County: Some Amazing Histories and
Some Horrifying Implications. Berkeley: University of California
Press, c1984. Web 31 March 2012. http://ark.cdlib.org
"Natural History." Welcome to Grossmont College. Grossmont College.
Web. 2 Apr. 2012.www.grossmont.edu.
"San Diego River." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Mar.-Apr. 2012.
Web. 2 Apr. 2012. en.wikipedia.org
