The plug in lake arrowhead

[025]

My company has been doing work on the valves at the bottom of a 185' ladder/elevator that goes to a +\~ 1/2 mile long tunnel containing a series of valves built in around 1910 that connects to the tower in the middle of the lake. The tower is the inlet, the ultimate outlet is below Calgary dr. and drains into willow creek. I believe the Chinese dug this with picks and dynamite.

Most people never get a chance to go down there so I added some pics. Theres water constantly seeping out the walls.

As a side note, the elevator broke the other day at the bottom and we had to climb the 185' ladder. More tiring than I ever thought it would be

I apologize for the bad pics but it is very small down there. The last pic is the top of the elevator heading down. Enjoy!!

 

[Halvecto]

I've always wondered what it is like down there. Cool stuff.

Ever get that flash moment of ..."what if" ?




Sent from HTC Evo on Sprint Network

 

[charlyox]

That's a long way to climb up a ladder. Ccool pics. Are you replacing that old valve?

 

[025]

We cycle them every year for the state dam inspection. Last year a stem shaft in the one of the hydraulic valves broke. (24" dia. hydraulic cylinder) Last week we got some I beam down there, strung out welding leads and built an overhead trolley to take it apart with. I'm guessing it weighs about 2000lbs. We got the shaft out and took it to a machine shop to get a new one made. Next week we should have it back together in time for the next inspection.

 

[motormonkey]

Thats pretty cool. I watched Huell Housers California Gold do a peice on Lake Arowhead. They showed some of that stuff. I didnt know how old the lake was untill that show.

 

[Sleeper CP]

cool indeed.

S CP

 

[Racey]

That's awesome stuff, thinking about being down inside there raises the hair on the back of my neck. That would be pretty bitchin to check out. :thumbsup Thanks for the pics! you need to get a GoPro down there!

 

[rivermobster]

On the street I live on, there have been numorus times water has just started coming right outa the street. I was off one day, and the guys were there fixing a leak....

They told me there was a BIG pipe under my street that goes from lake arrowhead, to somewhere over in azusa!! They said its so old, it springs leaks all the time, and they just fix em as they pop up.

Is this whats hooked to that thing your workin on?? Crazy stuff. Thanks for the pics! :thumbsup

 

[025]

No, this goes about 1/2-3/4mi under ground and pops out in a little known place on willow creek in arrowhead, willow creek then ties into deep creek and heads to hesperia.

I'm not aware of anything going down to Azusa and really doubt there is anything. I'll post a pic of the end of the tunnel door, its interesting.

 

[025]

Here's the tunnel door

 

[BACK2BIGRIVER]

Thats pretty cool. I watched Huell Housers California Gold do a peice on Lake Arowhead. They showed some of that stuff. I didnt know how old the lake was untill that show.

I watched the same show some good stuff.

 

[Lue]

Is there any old Byron Jackson stuff down there?

Very interesting. THanks for sharing. :thumbsup

 

[Hardly Satisfied]

That is very cool

 

[025]

I will get a pic of the elevator next week. Uses narrow Gage rails for tracks. Bangs, clunks and shifts all the way (even gets jammed sometimes). I now ride on the top of it using the inspection controls. That way if anything happens then I can reach out and grab the ladder.

Btw. I think Jimmy hoffa might be down there.

 

[025]

The 2 types of valves are cranes and chapmans. We called crane and they thought we were on drugs when we told them what we were working on. They didn't think any were still operational. They did offer some new ones for 25k apiece

 

[ONE-A-DAY]

So I am trying to figure this out. You go through the door and into the tunnel, and then take the elevator down? So are you actually working under the lake at the base of the big drain thing in the middle of the lake?

 

[Outnumbered]

There is no tunnel connecting lake Arrowhead to any other water source or outlet. I used to live up there. When the lake almost dried up back around 2003 there was big talk of digging tunnels and running a pipe line to tie into some of the neighboring systems including silverwood. People were against is because of potential pollution issues. Anyway, cool pix. I've never been in the tunnel but I've seen the huell howser video. The tunnel used to be open and easily accessed but they built that gate to keep people out. I can't remember what the year was but it was at least 20 years ago.

 

[025]

You go in a small antiquated room on the shoreline (it's hidden and I can't say where, sorry) Inside is the elevator that goes down 185' to same level as bottom of lake. Below that there is 2 pipelines 24". (1) with 2 manual valves and 2 hydraulic valves, (1) with 2 manual and 1 hydraulic valve. It is an uneven number because one hydraulic valve was removed to support the elevator and set aside (in pics). The tower feeds a 48" +\~ single pipe that goes under the lake, manifolds to 2 pipes and goes into this room. After the valves the pipes end side by side pointing out the tunnel (in pic). So when valves are opened then water flows out tunnel to willow creek. There is also an old small 3rd line that was set up to provide electricity but is abandoned, I don't know much about it.

If I remember right the tower has different inlets at different levels going down it. I don't think anyone has seen them since construction and I am pretty sure the bottom one is silted over.

There is also a room down there heading toward the lake. It is accessed through a 3x3 hole. I've never gone in there, way creepy, I'll see if I can check it out next time I'm down.

Also, it is interesting that all the hydraulics are controlled and pumped from the top 185' above valves. We use radios to contact each other while cycling them.

 

[stryderphoto]

Great pic's, something few people get to see for themselves. Thanks for posting them.

 

[pronstar]

That's really cool :thumbsup

There's a ton of stuff going on underground/under stuff that most of us don't even know is there.

 

[rivermobster]

You go in a small antiquated room on the shoreline (it's hidden and I can't say where, sorry) Inside is the elevator that goes down 185' to same level as bottom of lake. Below that there is 2 pipelines 24". (1) with 2 manual valves and 2 hydraulic valves, (1) with 2 manual and 1 hydraulic valve. It is an uneven number because one hydraulic valve was removed to support the elevator and set aside (in pics). The tower feeds a 48" +\~ single pipe that goes under the lake, manifolds to 2 pipes and goes into this room. After the valves the pipes end side by side pointing out the tunnel (in pic). So when valves are opened then water flows out tunnel to willow creek. There is also an old small 3rd line that was set up to provide electricity but is abandoned, I don't know much about it.

If I remember right the tower has different inlets at different levels going down it. I don't think anyone has seen them since construction and I am pretty sure the bottom one is silted over.

There is also a room down there heading toward the lake. It is accessed through a 3x3 hole. I've never gone in there, way creepy, I'll see if I can check it out next time I'm down.

Also, it is interesting that all the hydraulics are controlled and pumped from the top 185' above valves. We use radios to contact each other while cycling them.

Maybe Silverwood then?

What lake did they use to fill Diamond Valley up with??

 

[Scott E]

What lake did they use to fill Diamond Valley up with??

Diamond Valley Lake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/FileVLlake.JPG" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/DVLlake.JPG/240px-DVLlake.JPG"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/2/24/DVLlake.JPG/240px-DVLlake.JPG

 

[lalhc]

Very cool stuff - I live in Lake Arrowhead and I only know what's under the lake thanks to TV. I do, however know where that door is

 

[ka0tyk]

cant find the show but an interesting transcript of it with all the info about he elevator, etc.

http://www.livedash.com/transcript/...rowhead)/918/KQED/Tuesday_May_04_2010/284745/

 

[Outnumbered]

Maybe Silverwood then?

...

Probably one of the small reservoirs up in Azusa Canyon. I can't remember what they are called.

 

[Outnumbered]

I've got a pretty decent collection of Arrowhead historical photos and such. I'll see if I can find one that shows the dam under construction. Pretty cool history there.

 

[025]

In the pictures with Huel, is an older guy in the back with head down. His name is Ralph Wagner and is a wealth of knowledge up here and a very good friend. He wrote a book about the lake a couple years ago. If any wants one let me know and I'll see if he has any. The history of this lake is very interesting

 

[025]

More random info.

The property for the lake was first bought and the dam/tunnels were started in 1891. The dam was raised in 1922 to the current height. Arrowhead lake association was founded 1975 which currently manages it. (last weekend I told the current gm "how dare he harass my schiada about noise, these boats have been around longer than his association" . )

There are alot more tunnels on this mountain

Emerald tunnel almost 3000'

Deep creek tunnel was started but never finished 2 3/4 mi

Tunnel I'm working in goes 260' under our elementary school and is 3800'

Grass valley to arrowhead tunnel 4000'

I've seen others but don't know names or reasons

What is most amazing is that they are mostly 6' x 6' arch top and built by hand mostly with no concrete reinforcement.

 

[Outnumbered]

More random info.

The property for the lake was first bought and the dam/tunnels were started in 1891. The dam was raised in 1922 to the current height. Arrowhead lake association was founded 1975 which currently manages it. (last weekend I told the current gm "how dare he harass my schiada about noise, these boats have been around longer than his association" . )

There are alot more tunnels on this mountain

Emerald tunnel almost 3000'

Deep creek tunnel was started but never finished 2 3/4 mi

Tunnel I'm working in goes 260' under our elementary school and is 3800'

Grass valley to arrowhead tunnel 4000'

I've seen others but don't know names or reasons

What is most amazing is that they are mostly 6' x 6' arch top and built by hand mostly with no concrete reinforcement.

Yep, I forgot to mention the Grass Valley Tunnel and the road named after it But, they are are all part of the LACSD water system. It is a closed system for now.

I knew about the unfinished tunnels to deep creek but never knew their exact locations. The Emerald tunnel I'm not familiar with. Any more info on those?

 

[Joker]

Great Thread. I learned more in 3 pages than I did on the " Do You" Thread.

Thanks

 

[025]

I don't know where deep creek is. But will be looking for it over winter when it's cooler out and lake season is over. An excuse to ride my dirt bike really.

I'll see if I can find emerald next week and let you know where it is. I think I know but want to double check

 

[spectra3279]

that is some bitchin shit right there. I love stuff like this.

I guess its the Hermit in me.

 

[Outnumbered]

I don't know where deep creek is. But will be looking for it over winter when it's cooler out and lake season is over. An excuse to ride my dirt bike really.

I'll see if I can find emerald next week and let you know where it is. I think I know but want to double check

We used to trout fish and swim deep creek when I was a kid. It starts up by Arrowbear/Green Valley lake and runs behind Lake Arrowhead all the way down to Hesperia.

Here are a few pics I have from back in 2005 when the water was very low

 

[lalhc]

We used to trout fish and swim deep creek when I was a kid. It starts up by Arrowbear/Green Valley lake and runs behind Lake Arrowhead all the way down to Hesperia.

Here are a few pics I have from back in 2005 when the water was very low

Water's way up this year. A lot of kids go hang out down there and jump off the rocks into cool pools of water.

 

[Outnumbered]

Here ya go...

Perfect Backflip at Aztec Falls - YouTube

 

[Outnumbered]

Aztec Falls 9 6 09 - YouTube

 

[AuggieBenDoggie]

If you take the trails behind Papoose Lake or I think it's "hook creek road" both of those will drop you into Deep Creek. It's really going off road.

There also used to be a pipe under the bridge in the water I forgot what it's used for.

Before there was the ALA there used be a thing called Arrowhead Woods. Up at our house we have the blueprints for the house which was built in the 30's

 

[025]

From the end of hook creek you can pretty much go anywhere. My shop is on hook creek, I have left there by dirt bike and rode to phelan, amboy, needles, Barstow, big bear,cal state San berdoo.

Pacific coast trail goes through there too. Off of that there's falls and hot springs. Even a couple bridges.

Fun place to play

 

[rivermobster]

Deep Creek is closed...

 

[025]

I think it is only closed where the fire was. About 1/2 between arrowhead and hesperia off pct, in the canyon. Pct was closed anyway because of a land slide. Great thing about closed is there's less people when you there.

 

[025]

Here's a pic of what I think is the emerald tunnel. I found this last week. Looks a little silted in

 

[River Lynchmob]

Way cool thread...been going to Arrowhead since 75 and didn't know 90% of this stuff.