Monticello Dam Turns 50
Solano County Celebrates Dam’s Impact on Regional Economy
In California, Solano county farmers call it the gold rush of 1957. That was the year the last bucket of concrete was poured on Monticello Dam. Monticello Dam, the principal feature of Reclamation’s Solano Project, is located in Solano County, about 65 miles west of Sacramento, Calif. Standing as tall as the Statue of Liberty at 304 feet from base to crest, it stores water from Putah Creek and forms Lake Berryessa. When Lake Berryessa water became available to farmers in 1962, the proportion of irrigated crops rose 13 percent in twelve months to 41 percent. Between 1955 and 1966, farming income skyrocketed from $12.7 million to $50.4 million. The impact of Monticello Dam extended well beyond agriculture, as prominent businesses relocated to the area in search of a steady, reliable water source. In 1976 Anheuser Busch opened a brewery in Fairfield, Calif. Representing seven percent of Fairfield’s entire consumption, the brewery exclusively uses two million gallons of Lake Berryessa water per day. |
 Commissioner
Robert Johnson
reads a resolution
on Monticello
Dam’s 50th
Anniversary commemoration
to a
group of leaders
from the cities,
water agencies
and irrigation and
water districts
that receive water
from the Solano
Project. Standing
to the right of the
Commissioner is
Len Augustine,
Mayor, City of
Vacaville. |
In California, Solano county farmers call it the gold rush of 1957. That was the year the last bucket of concrete was poured on Monticello Dam.“The value of agricultural products doubled right away and went on from there,” said then-Solano County Administrator Dave Balmer. “The significance of agricultural products was really enhanced, and cities with reliable water supplies were then able to grow.” Monticello Dam, the principal feature of Reclamation’s Solano Project, is located in Solano County, about 65 miles west of Sacramento, Calif. Standing as tall as the Statue of Liberty at 304 feet from base to crest, it stores water from Putah Creek and forms Lake Berryessa. When Lake Berryessa water became available to farmers in 1962, the proportion of irrigated crops rose 13 percent in twelve months to 41 percent. Between 1955 and 1966, farming income skyrocketed from $12.7 million to $50.4 million. The impact of Monticello Dam extended well beyond agriculture, as prominent businesses relocated to the area in search of a steady, reliable water source. In 1976 Anheuser Busch opened a brewery in Fairfield, Calif. Representing seven percent of Fairfield’s entire consumption, the brewery exclusively uses two million gallons of Lake Berryessa water per day. The 50th anniversary of this remarkable turning point in Solano County history was celebrated Oct. 12-13, 2007. The formal dinner program titled, “Grown With Berryessa Water,” featured a keynote speech by Reclamation Commissioner Robert W. Johnson, capping an evening of festivities on Oct. 12. “When you think back to the hardships that people went through years ago to build this dam – hard work; dangerous work; long hours for little money – it really drives home the debt we owe them,” Commissioner Johnson said. About 600 people attended festivities on Oct. 13, which included tours of Monticello Dam and informational booths from local organizations. The day’s events were held at Lake Solano Park. Lake Solano was formed by the Putah Creek Diversion Dam, another Solano Project feature.
Last updated: 12/17/07 | |