Savage Dam, completed in 1921, forms the
Lower Otay Reservoir, which is used to supply drinking water to parts of southern San Diego County. The reservoir is also the terminus for Pipeline 3 of the
Second San Diego Aqueduct, which delivers water from the
Colorado River via the
Colorado River Aqueduct. Its predecessor, the
Lower Otay Dam was a "rockhill type", which was completed in 1897; The
Upper Otay Reservoir is formed by Upper Otay Dam, built in 1901. The reservoir was established as a
hatchery for the introduction of Florida-strain
largemouth bass in 1959. The reservoir was chemically treated first, which killed all of the native
fish. In 1996, the reservoir was opened to
fishing, but all fish caught must be released. Since the river is used as a municipal water supply, there is no human contact allowed at either of the Otay Reservoirs. Early testing of manned gliders by noted aviator
John J. Montgomery occurred in the region in the late 19th century. ==References==