San Joaquin

This view is from on top of the dam looking at the outflow and towards the boat ramp area. The outflow from the dam could have some good play potential, but for all the fishermen casting their lines into it.
Firebaugh has a nice riverside park with this gazebo, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The odd structure in the river was a foundation for a rotary bridge. In the early days there was a lot of river boat traffic on the San Joaquin up to and past Firebaugh. Instead of building a draw bridge to let the boats get by, the bridge rotated horizontally out of the way.
Typical scene along the river near Firebaugh with fishermen enjoying the river. Cultivated fields are just beyond the narrow, bushy riparian zone.
Fishermen must have the best luck when they fish the outflow. The structure to the right of center may be a fish ladder. With plans to restore the Salmon run on this river, passage past this dam will be an important issue. The dam is constructed with vertical openings which are blocked by wooden planks. The planks can be added or removed to raise or lower the level of the pool behind the dam.