Fresh water is the fountain of civilization and salt water is the engine of commerce. The Spanish located the original San Diego presidio and mission at Old Town in 1769 on the San Diego River, close to fresh water and salt water. New San Diego, the current city and port did not begin to thrive until the 1850s when fresh water became available. Water records highlight the City's constant search for fresh water, building damns, planning for aqueducts, drilling wells and the continuous effort to improve the saltwater bay for shipping, the navy and recreation.

• 1889 Board of Health Committee on Water Supply by San Diego Water Company
• 1914 Present Condition and Future Possibilities of the Water System of San Diego by H.A. Whitney, Hydraulic Engineer