Completed in 1921 to supply water to the Monterey Peninsula, the dam was removed in November 2015 due to safety and environmental concerns.

The San Clemente Dam was implemented by Samuel Morse, owner of the Del Monte Properties Company, in order to supply municipal water to the growing population on the Monterey Peninsula.

[4] The project includes rerouting the Carmel River upstream of the dam through a half-mile-long channel into San Clemente Creek, which contains the least amount of sediment.

About 380,000 cu yd (290,000 m3) of sediment will also have to be excavated from San Clemente Creek to the permanent holding area on the Carmel River.

[8] Other benefits from removing the dam include freeing up 7 mi (11 km) of the river for rainbow trout migration and to improve the California red-legged frog habitat.