Chabot Dam, originally called San Leandro Dam, was built by Anthony Chabot, who started Contra Costa Water Company in 1868. When artesian wells and Temescal and Sausal Creeks failed to bring Oakland and surrounding cities enough water, he decided to dam San Leandro Creek. In 1874 some 800 Chinese laborers were imported to sluice in 682,000 cubic yards of earth fill. Wild horses brought from Oregon trampled successive layers of San Leandro Dam’s clay center. The reservoir’s water first flowed into pipelines in May 1876. The East Bay’s first filter plant was added in 1890. In December 1928 East Bay Municipal Utility District acquired the facilities, renaming them Chabot Dam, Reservoir, and Filter Plant to honor the pioneer. The site is an American Water Landmark, significant in the history of public water supply, and was designated by the American Water Works Association.
