Just this
week at the Calaveras Dam Replacement Project, crews were able to install a
special feature to the new Intake Tower roof.
The new intake tower is part of the outlet works that releases water from
the reservoir. The special features are roof drain scuppers made of cast bronze
in the shape of a mountain lion head designed by artist Manuel Palos and architect Andrew Maloney.
Why a Mountain Lion?
The lion head “grotesque” & “gargoyle” ornament has decorated
buildings for thousands of years. In Greek and Roman classical architecture,
the lion was a symbol of the fallen hero, guardian of gates, temples, and
public buildings. The rain
water from the roof is collected in the drain and exits the mouth of the
mountain lion.
Mountain lions are native to the Alameda Creek Watershed. Some construction
workers have seen them on site and we even captured footage on our trail
camera:
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