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Here is a link to this week's article in the Monterey County Weekly about my documenting the San Clemente Dam Removal .  Painting at the dam, August 19, 2015  Painting at the dam, August 26, 2015. About ten feet to go!  Finished painting "Busy Day at the Dam, August 26, 2015" Click on photo image below for larger view.
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 Alders sprouting up in the rocks of the mountain cut. Being involved in documenting the project, I had the opportunity to be invited to the Granite Family Fun Day at the project site. We got to wander the whole site on our own! So I did just that! I got to view the canyon that is now free of the dam for the most part and the machinery up close, the step pool construction, large woody debris piles and more. Walking along the face of the mountain cut, I saw sprouts of alder trees coming up through the cracks of the rocks..so the site is already beginning to restore itself. The step pool construction is fascinating to see, intricately and carefully constructed deep pools banked to flow like a river. It will be intriguing to see what happens this winter when the river has the first opportunity to flow through this whole site and not be stopped by a dam.  Looking down on what is left of the San Clemente Dam. They have about twenty feet to go.The Carmel River is currently being sent through an 18" pipe under this area and let out further down stream  The giant hoe ram that has been the tool to take down the dam these past three weeks, with the help of another smaller one.  Viewing banner of paintings I have created thus far on the stages of the Dam Removal project. Click on small photos below for larger view.  Working on an 8x10" painting of the last top part of the dam to be demolished. The part I was waiting to see happen was for the "stovepipe" to come down...The photo below shows the jackhammer operator judiciously hammering away at the base of the structure... 
This is my second opportunity to be at the overlook from the Dormody land to watch the demolition process. I hope to be able to paint three more images over the course of the next three weeks showing the take down in four parts...the last painting will show the dam gone! That's the plan anyways!        A few refinements to be done but basically finished! See the difference in size of people to machinery and work to be accomplished!  I had the opportunity to have a first rate view of the first day of the demolition of the San Clemente Dam. I was there almost all day doing sketches and a small painting and lots of photos, video and sound recordings. I will be going there for the next few weeks to document the demolition as it continues. It is strange feeling to see it being destroyed....so many man hours went into creating it ninety-four years ago. As far as structures go, it is a graceful construction. But what a difference it will make for the river's health when it can flow unimpeded.  Dam in its final hours (approximately 8:00 am, July 30, 2015 ) before the jackhammer comes to begin work on demolition.  Jackhammer machine on its way to start demolition, July 30, 2015  Started jack hammering this side at about 10:40 am.    A smaller hoe ram (jackhammer machine) on its way to continue the job. Such a steep incline to travel! This picture was taken at approximately 2:30 pm....slow going to take the dam down...  It is intriguing to watch the operators work...a precise job with such a large machine! You have done such a good job personifying this huge dam that I am saddened by its demolition. I imagine all the memories that it holds expiring as the concrete falls.... Diane Berthoin-Hernandez
Thank you, Diane. It is an interesting idea to think of the stories embedded in the concrete and now being released in the dust and air... |
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