Riding the water in the 37-mile elevated flume was a popular sport in the 1880s. The flume was built by San Diego Flume Co. 1886-1889. On opening day, dignitaries were on hand to ride boats from the Diverting Dam to Lakeside, including California Governor Robert W. Waterman (seated front right). 315 trestles carried the flume across valleys, canyons and ravines. The flume's usefulness eventually was replaced with other water sources and today there are very few remnants of the old line remaining.