From the Manteca/Ripon Bulletin – Nestled in the rustic Stanislaus River canyon below the western horizon from busy Highway 108-120 in the bottomland of Tuolumne County is arguably the most critical chunk of concrete ever poured when it comes to powering the Manteca economy. It is here some 35 miles to the northeast of Manteca you’ll find Goodwin Dam. The 400-foot high dam was completed in December of 1912 primarily as a storage and diversion point for the South San Joaquin Irrigation District and its 112-year-old partner – the Oakdale Irrigation District. (more)