Helix Water District

Helix History (1960-1969)

1960
San Diego County Water Authority completes its second aqueduct. Lake Cuyamaca is a virtual puddle with only 559 acre-feet of runoff recorded (average is 4,300 acre-feet). Bonds are approved for the State Water Project. Thirty-nine new subdivisions added to District.

At the same time
Brezhnev is President of the USSR. Francis Gary Powers is shot down in his U-2 over Russia. John F. Kennedy is elected President. "The Pill" is approved. "Puppy Love" and "The Twist" are popular songs.

1961
Heavy work begins on the Chet Harritt Dam. Helix's ownership rights in Lake Murray are deeded to the City of San Diego. Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District is formed to promote Cuyamaca Lake.

At the same time
The Berlin Wall is built. The McDonald's Restaurant chain is started. "Moon River" is popular. Yo-yo's are the craze.

1962
Chet Harritt Dam is completed in September. The District buys an IBM 1440 computer system to initiate computer generation of billing statements.

Building the Outlet Tower at Lake Jennings, 1962

At the same time
The USSR sends arms to Cuba and begins the Cuban Missile Crisis. Astronauts Glenn, Carpenter, and Schirra individually orbit the earth. "The Jetsons" debuts on TV. "Lawrence of Arabia," "Dr. No," and "The Music Man" are on movie screens. "Duke of Earl" and "The Loco-Motion" are on the radio.

1963
Arizona triumphs over water rights dispute. California on short end of Supreme Court Colorado River water decision. Construction of the R. M. Levy Water Treatment Plant begins. The District now has 35,752 meters in service. It takes months to work the IBM 1440 into a workable billing system.

Building the R. M. Levy Water Treatment Plant in Lakeside, 1963.

At the same time
John F. Kennedy is assassinated. Race riots in Birmingham, Alabama, result in the arrest of Martin Luther King and the deployment of 3,000 troops to the city. Joan Baez and Bob Dylan are topping charts while the Beach Boys sing "Surfin' USA." "The Birds," "Dr. Strangelove," and "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" are the big films. General Motors is building the Corvair.

1964
Heavy work continues on the Treatment Plant. Initial trials begin in the fall. Work begins on the Lake Jennings Recreation Area.

At the same time
Heavy fighting begins in Vietnam. Alaska is hit by a major earthquake. Martin Luther King wins the Nobel Peace Prize. "Hello Dolly" and "I Get Around" are popular, while the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "Can't Buy Me Love" are catapulting them to success. "Goldfinger," "Mary Poppins," and "My Fair Lady" are the big films.

1965
The Treatment Plant is put on-line in March. Lake Jennings is opened for fishing, and construction starts on the campground. School tours of the Treatment Plant begin. Fluoridation is considered by Helix Board of Directors.

At the same time
Lyndon Johnson is elected President. U.S. astronauts conduct the first space walk. Sonny and Cher sing "I Got You Babe." "Dr. Zhivago" and "The Sound of Music" are the top films for the year. Ford starts selling the new Mustang. Hairdos are bouffants and beehives.

1966
The District's population is up to 150,000, and almost 40,000 meters. The war in Vietnam makes copper pipes scarce, resulting in trials of alternate materials.

At the same time
Heavy fighting continues in Vietnam. Boxer Cassius Clay is winning titles. Miniskirts are in. "I Am a Rock," "Born Free," and "When a Man Loves a Woman" are on the radio.

1967
All District water bills are printed by computer. High school students build the caretaker's house at Lake Jennings. The new Lake Cuyamaca recreation facilities are completed.

The District's first computer, the IBM 1440, photographed soon after its arrival.

At the same time
The Six-day War takes place between Israel and the Arab nations. Three astronauts are killed in a launch pad fire. Twiggy is creating a skinny new fashion style. Super Bowl I takes place. "Happy Together" and "I Think We're Alone Now" are popular songs. Muscle cars like Barracudas and Mustangs are "in!"

1968
Filtered water finally becomes available to the entire District with new pipeline connections. These pipelines also connect the District to other water agencies. District moves away from assessments and toward revenue from water sales for all funds. Electronic data processing methods now possible for District.

At the same time
Robert Kennedy announces he is a candidate for President. Martin Luther King is killed in Memphis. Apollo 7 and 8 orbit the earth. "Funny Girl," "The Lion in Winter," and "2002: A Space Odyssey" are the big films. "The Love Bug" begins its movie career. "Hey Jude," "Mrs. Robinson," Proud Mary," and "Aquarius" are the top songs.

1969
William Jennings retires as District counsel. Paul Engstrand begins tenure. District population has reached 154,000, with 40,080 meters in service, providing an annual 28,823 acre-feet of water.

At the same time
Height of Vietnam war protests, and the first recall of troops. Apollo 11 lands on the moon as millions watch on TV. The Woodstock concert is held. The Hippie era is at its height with peace signs, tie-dye, and flowered VW buses as trademarks. Women's Lib is a hot political topic. "Easy Rider" and "Midnight Cowboy" are the big films.

Go to 1970-1979