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Barker Dam
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Barker Dam
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| Nearest city: | Twentynine Palms, California |
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| Built: | 1900 |
| Architect: | Baker,C.O.; Keys,W.F. |
| Governing body: | National Park Service |
| NRHP Reference#: | 75000173 |
| Added to NRHP: | October 29, 1975[1] |
Barker Dam, also known as the Big Horn Dam, is a water-storage facility located in Joshua Tree National Park in California. The dam was constructed by early cattlemen, including C.O. Barker in 1900. It was raised in 1949 by rancher William F. Keys. It is situated between Queen Valley and the Wonderland of Rocks near the Wall Street Mill. It is a gathering place for desert wildlife, including many species of birds and Desert Bighorn Sheep. Visitors can reach the dam via a short trail from a nearby parking lot and can see Native American petroglyphs a short distance to the west. There is also good bouldering on side trails near the dam. The park offers a Barker Dam Nature Hike led by a ranger.
The lowest nine feet of the dam, the original portion, was constructed of concrete surfaced with stone on the downstream side. The height of dam was raised an additional six feet of concrete in 1949-1950. The dam has several indentations. An inscription at top reads: "Big Horn Dam Built by Willis Keys, W.F. Keyes, Phyllis M. Keys, 1949-1950."[2]
The Barker Dam Loop trail is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round trip and has very little elevation gain. It goes from the parking lot at Barker Dam and goes past the dam and several good bouldering areas and a wall of easily visible petroglyphs. The trail also offers good birding both near the lake and at several spots along the trail that are surrounded by brush. It is a very popular trail and is crowded during midday.
Barker Dam is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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