IV-379 



Mission Bay and San Diego Bay lie 4n the delta of the San Diego 

 River. Prior to about 1825 the river would switch channels and flow 

 into one or the other depending on the whims of nature. Between 

 1825 and 1877, history shows the San Diego River Channel emptying 

 into San Diego Bay. Since San Diego Bay was one of the best natural 

 harbors on the Pacific coast, the shipping interests became very 

 concerned over the sediment load deposited in the harbor. It was 

 felt that if this sedimentation process were not controlled, the Bay 

 would become too shallow for navigation. 



Consequently, in 1877 the San Diego River was permanently diverted 

 into Mission Bay. The period from 1900 to 1950 was one of exceptional 

 growth for Southern California. Private and Federal developments in 

 the San Diego Bay portion of the delta were of sufficient magnitude 

 to warrant flood control works on the River. Subsequently, a 

 separate flood control channel, which empties into the ocean, was 

 built for the San Diego River, and some navigation dredging was done 

 in Mission Bay. 



During the same period of time (1900-1959), changes were occurring 

 in Mission Bay. In 1929, California incorporated Mission Bay into 

 its State park system. In 1945, title to the tidelands and submerged 

 lands was granted to the city of San Diego. The city passed a $2 

 million bond issue for improvement of Mission Bay. It also cooperated 



