In 1924, the Portland Water District started construction to upgrade intake from Sebago Lake. The builders increased the intake depth from several feet to 30 feet, and moved it to 1600 feet from shore. "....if by any chance the dam at the lower end of the lake should go out, there would still be sufficient depth of water over the pipe to maintain the supply for the district." The project used machinery wherever possible, since labor was scarce and expensive.

The December 9th edition of the "Portland Evening Express" devoted a full-page article to the project.