Water System | SFPUC Residents drink it in 26 cities and water districts from San. Garfield had granted San Franciscos request, but Ballinger ordered the city to show cause as to why Hetch Hetchy should not be deleted from their grant. [54][55], After passing through the powerhouses, Hetch Hetchy water flows into the 167mi (269km) Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct which travels across the Central Valley. California needed secure, reliable access to drinking water for their burgeoning populations. ", "Fall in the Main Tuolumne River at the Head of Hetch Hetchy Valley", "Fly Fishing Poopenaut Valley Tuolumne River", "Screech Brothers Find Hetch Hetchy Valley", "Big Oak Flat (No. As a consequence, visitors came to experience it for themselves. If their signature-gathering campaign is successful, a small group of environmental advocates, led by Restore Hetch Hetchy, will give you the opportunity this November to vote on a measure that would require the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to develop a plan to drain Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. The watershed is also strictly protected, so swimming and boating are prohibited at the reservoir (although fishing is permitted at the reservoir and in the rivers which feed it),[60] a measure which is considered unusual for US lakes outside the region. But the reservoir has spared it some of the indignities of Yosemite Valley", "San Francisco Department of Elections, November 2012 Results", "San Francisco vote to study draining Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is defeated", "Hetch Hetchy Water and the Bay Area Economy", "Thesis: Water Supply Implications of Removing O'Shaughnessy Dam", "New Irvington Tunnel latest in Hetch Hetchy water system improvements", Current Conditions, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, California Department of Water Resources, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission: Hetch Hetchy Water and Power, California Resources Agency Hetch Hetchy Restoration Study, Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency on Hetch Hetchy dam, National Register of Historic Places in Yosemite National Park, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hetch_Hetchy&oldid=1131920349, History of the Sierra Nevada (United States), Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the National Park Service, Articles with dead external links from May 2019, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2022, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Pages using infobox bridge with empty coordinates parameter, All articles with vague or ambiguous time, Vague or ambiguous time from October 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 January 2023, at 11:49. In the autumn of 1871, John Muir visited Hetch Hetchy for the first time. Pinchot was recognized as a leader of the conservation movement. Hetch Hetchy is on the main stem of the Tuolumne River and is part of the Tuolumne watershed. Photo: Theresa Ho, Of course, the proposal was immediately opposed by environmentalists including the Sierra Club and John Muir. At SPUR, we have done a lot of work on climate change adaptation. Why we must restore Hetch Hetchy - SFGATE Hetch Hetchy, a glacially carved valley situated in the northern end of the park, was flooded and dammed in the early 1900s in order to serve as the primary drinking water source for parts of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Building a dam there was off the table. The Tuolumne River continues through Tuolumne Meadows and the associated park developments at an elevation of 8,600 feet. Us too! A full breakfast is served in the dining room. The reservoir is fed by the Tuolumne River. Indeed, the battle over Hetch Hetchy may have been a little-known contributor to the permanent alignment of American politics it was the tension between Ballinger and Pinchot that set in motion the events that lead to the split mentioned above. Furthermore, they provided a place for the wild plants and creatures to live out their own lives, according to their purposes. The battle for Hetch Hetchy wasnt just conservationists vs preservationists. [40] The city would repeatedly try to acquire water rights to Hetch Hetchy, including in 1901, 1903 and 1905, but was continually rebuffed because of conflicts with irrigation districts that had senior water rights on the Tuolumne River, and because of the valley's national park status. This fight set the stage for future battles between those who believed natural resources were to be used for the greatest good versus those who believed natural resources were to be preserved for the greatest enjoyment. Glaciers followed these low-points, leaving their own marks in particular carving out the characteristic U-shaped valley with steep sides and wide floor. The proposed study would also have been required to identify potential replacements for the water storage capacity and hydroelectric power production.[87][88]. Stand on OShaughnessy Dam and feel the cool updraft. Hetch Hetchy Valley, far from being a plain, common, rock-bound meadow, as many who have not seen it seem to suppose, is a grand landscape garden, one of Nature's rarest and most precious mountain temples. The law authorizing the dam passed Congress on December 7, 1913. Seventeen species of bats inhabit the Hetch Hetchy area, including the largest North American bat, the western mastiff. The first people, outside of Native Americans, to see the Hetch Hetchy Valley were Joseph, Nate and William Screechin 1850. Second, dams slow rivers. Franklin Lane served as the attorney for the city of San Francisco in 1903. DWR also found that the planning studies necessary to refine the costs and benefits of restoration would cost $65 million alone. [79] Some observers, such as Carl Pope (director of the Sierra Club), stated that Hodel had political motives[80] in proposing the study. [2] The dam contains 675,000cuyd (516,000m3) of concrete. (In fact partially because it is so difficult and destructive to build large dams, we are running out of new supplies of water in California.) "[34], When Yosemite Valley became part of a state park in 1864, Hetch Hetchy received no such designation. The chief began packing up and, when Nate asked him why, he replied, The valley is yours now., Far below them, the river cascaded into a peaceful valley floor, a heavenly setting similar to that of the main Yosemite Valley. The maximum that the city has put away is 570,000 acre-feet of water. Storage and Delivery Updates | SFPUC In 1967 the Robert C. Kirkwood Powerhouse started commercial operation followed by a New Moccasin Powerhouse in 1969 when the Old Moccasin Powerhouse was taken out of service. As well dam for water tanks the peoples cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man.'. A) human well-being B) renewable energy C) environmental sustainability D) cultural services E) human population growth, The current total world population has just passed ________. The exploitation of Californias natural resources continued unabated in the years leading up to Hetch Hetchy. The bustling metropolis of Los Angeles could not have become the city it did without the water which flowed from the Owens Valley hundreds of miles away. "[19], People have lived in Hetch Hetchy Valley for over 6,000 years. The O'Shaughnessy Dam is near Yosemite's western boundary, but the long, narrow, fingerlike reservoir stretches eastward for about 8 miles (13 km). Apply Today! The Valley Below | The Verge Hetch Hetchy: Congress and the Environment | National Archives Those who did visit it were enchanted by its scenery, but encountered difficulties with the primitive conditions and, in summertime, swarms of mosquitoes. If the nation set aside some natural places as especially sacred, how far beyond their borders should a sense of the sacred extend? History - Hetch Hetchy - Sierra Club Like Muir, she felt the beauty of the valley was a national treasure which ought to be preserved. [26], In the early 1850s, a mountain man by the name of Nathan Screech[27] became the first non-Native American to enter the valley. Hetch Hetchy: Time to Redeem a Historic Mistake - Sierra Club The waterfall on the Tuolumne is now submerged under Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. This can be very disorienting to fish and disrupt their migrations as they depend on steady streams and flows to guide them. However, the same NPS study also finds that with intensive management, an outcome in which "the entire valley would appear much as it did before construction of the reservoir" is feasible. While the dialogue around the West's water wars has been concentrated on the Colorado River and the alarming decline of Lake Powell and Lake Mead, watersheds across the Western United States are feeling the effects of a rapidly aridifying landscape due to climate change. The Hetch Hetchy Valley: A Reservoir In The Sierra Nevada Mountains Of Rancheria Falls itself is a series of whitewater cascades that crashes through a narrow canyon on its way to the reservoir. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (Yosemite National Park) - Tripadvisor What should be the fate of prairies, wetlands, or coastal marshes? Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The 1987 UN Commission on Sustainability first introduced the concept of ________ as a necessary focus for maintaining sustainability. San Francisco assumed from the outset that there would not be significant opposition to using the Hetch Hetchy Valley, even if it was in a national park, for the high and noble purpose of providing water to one of the nations great and growing metropolises, so their efforts in Washington, DC, were conducted discreetly. [54] The entire system produces about 1.7 billion kilowatt hours per year, enough to meet 20% of San Francisco's electricity needs. Located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, the dam captures water from the . The glacial Hetch Hetchy Valley lies in the northwestern part of Yosemite National Park and is drained by the Tuolumne River. It's a big job to open the tunnel and close it again. "[61][62], The battle over Hetch Hetchy Valley continues today[when?] Three strikes for San Francisco | Restore Hetch Hetchy You could then scuba ElCapitan down to the valley floor. The National Park Service conducted research to determine what would happen if the dam were removed, and people have repeatedly proposed costly studies to further understand the consequences of removing the dam. [57] Pipelines 3 and 4 end at the Pulgas Water Temple, a small park that contains classical architectural elements which celebrate the water delivery. She says the water first leaves Hetch Hetchy through the O'Shaughnessy Dam. California Rep. John E. Raker submitted a bill to Congress granting the city of San Francisco the right to dam the Hetchy Hetchy Valley as a reservoir and also provide the city the right of municipalized electricity as well. Expect delicious meals and hearty portions to fuel your adventure or beat that post-hiking hunger. The battle over the Hetch Hetchy, in part, was a fight over public versus private ownership of vital resources such as water. Worth a Dam? - Earth Island Journal Since then, the "Hetch Hetchy System" has continued to grow, now including nine impoundments . He was opposed by then Mayor Diane Feinstein who argued that the dam was San Franciscans birthright. High temperatures prevail in summer months, but its a small price to pay for the reward of vast wilderness filled with stunning peaks, hidden canyons, and remote lakes. If you love that insider feeling of discovering an often-overlooked gem, plan a stop at Buck Meadows on your way to or from Hetch Hetchy. Friday, enjoy an evening about bats starting at 7 pm. [2] . Most importantly, San Francisco would lose its source of high-quality mountain water, and would have to depend on lower-quality water from other reservoirs which would require costly filtration and re-engineering of the aqueduct system to meet its needs. "[85] However, she does support breaching the dam once it has reached the end of its lifespan, and not replacing it. "[22], The valley's name may be derived from a Miwok word earlier anglicized as hatchhatchie, which means "edible grasses"[8][23] or "magpie". Hetch Hetchy Valley, dammed and flooded in the 1920s despite bitter opposition from Sierra Club founder John Muir, provides drinking water for an estimated 2 million people in the San Francisco . Would there be any room in an acquisitive society for wildness, or for non material spiritual values?. People have died after being swept off the bridge and onto the rocks below. Building the Dam. And in a larger sense, the waters of California served as the converting agents. The water winds between granite features like Kolana Rock and Hetch Hetchy Dome. Each switchback reveals scenic overlooks of the reservoir and Kolana Rock. After Hetch Hetchy, many realized the National Parks needed more protection. William Howard Taft became president in 1909. The grassroots organization of environmental activism, established by John Muir and his supporters, became a model for future environmentalists. [35] Muir, who himself had briefly worked as a shepherd in Hetch Hetchy, was known for calling sheep "hoofed locusts" because of their environmental impact. This 1910 view shows Kolana Rock and Tueeulala Falls in the background. But Sites would be what's called an off-channel reservoir, built away from the river. On this point we hold that while we are willing to die for the lives or the health of the citizens of San Francisco, we are not willing to die for their pockets. Even in the summer when Yosemite Valley is being explored by visitors from around the world, Hetch Hetchy remains an oasis of relative calm. Such new supplies are not guaranteed to have the low greenhouse gas emissions profile that Hetch Hetchy water and power do and they could worsen climate change while increasing our vulnerability to it. Hetch Hetchy and Ackerson Meadow: Wildflowers and Bats Gravel, logs, and other important food and habitat features can become trapped. Specialty pricing may require . Valley, reservoir, and aqueduct in California, USA, sfn error: no target: CITEREFMatthes1930 (, sfn error: no target: CITEREFWohlforth2004 (, sfn error: no target: CITEREFWhitney1874 (, sfn error: no target: CITEREFGlennon2009 (, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Hetch Hetchy, List of dams and reservoirs in California, List of the tallest dams in the United States, "Alternatives for Restoration of Hetch Hetchy Valley Following Removal of the Dam and Reservoir", "Hetch Hetchy Reclaimed: Drain it, then what? This was likely because of Hetch Hetchy's narrow outlet, which in years of heavy snowmelt created a bottleneck in the Tuolumne River and the subsequent flooding of the valley floor. between those who wish to retain the dam and reservoir, and those who wish to drain the reservoir and return Hetch Hetchy Valley to its former state. Today the 117-billion-gallon reservoir supplies drinking water to about 2.5 million San Francisco Bay Area residents and hydro-electric power generated by two plants downstream. Muir predicted that this lake would create an unsightly "bathtub ring" around its perimeter, caused by the water's destruction of lichen growth on the canyon walls,[44] which would inevitably be visible at low lake levels. Hetch Hetchy Valley: Battle To Restore, History & Recreation Building the Hetch Hetchy dam in such a remote location was an enormous project. [73] Furthermore, the removal of O'Shaughnessy Dam would not require costly sediment control measures, as would be typical on most dam removal projects, because of the high quality of the Tuolumne River water in the first 90 years since its construction, only around 2in (5.1cm) of sediment had been deposited in Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, much less than most other dams. Once again, the political pendulum would swing. On returning home, he asked an Indian chief the name of the valley. Another Iconic Valley In Yosemite? Report Estimates Tourism Benefits Of RELATED: A Woman Started The Environmental Movement (Can It Continue?). Many are vital pieces of infrastructure that provide reliable water supplies, hydropower, flood control, and recreation. The Tuolumne River, the source of. The second concept is preservation. He was a firm believer in utilitarian conservation. Hoffman observed a meadow "well timbered and affording good grazing", and noted the valley had a milder climate than Yosemite Valley, hence the abundance of ponderosa pine and gray pine. As Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Fills, Environmentalists Still Dream of [56] All four pipelines cross the Hayward fault. [64] Peter Byrne of SF Weekly has stated that "the plain language of the Raker Act itself and experts who are familiar with the act (and have no stake in city politics) all agree: The city of San Francisco is not in violation of the Raker Act. This is why environmental impact statements, which were not required prior to 1969, are so important today. From the turn-off, the road winds for 16.5 miles up the old Hetch Hetchy railroad grade (26.5 km) to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, passing many lonely trails along the way. [49], The narrow defile at the lower end of Hetch Hetchy Valley where San Francisco planned to dam the Tuolumne River, seen in 1914 before construction began, The same area seen today, with O'Shaughnessy Dam and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Hetch Hetchy Valley serves as the primary water source for the City and County of San Francisco and several surrounding municipalities in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The proposed ballot measure calls for the creation of a task force that would spend $8 million to develop a long-term plan for improving water quality and reliability, remediating environmental damages caused by the water supply system, and identifying new water and renewable energy supplies so that Hetch Hetchy Valley could be returned to the National Park Service. Richard Ballinger was appointed his Interior Secretary. Before damming, the high granite formations produced a valley with an average depth of 1,800ft (550m) and a maximum depth of over 3,000ft (910m); the length of the valley was 3mi (4.8km) with a width ranging from .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}18 to 12 mile (660 to 2,640ft; 200 to 800m). Today, descendants of these people still use milkweed, deergrass, bracken fern, willow, and other plants for a variety of uses including baskets, medicines, and string. Photo: Chris Migeon It is only a cut in the hills through which the Tuolumne River runs, but if you think there might be a valley keep looking and if you find such a place I will give it to you., Nate went on looking for the valley. It is the primary water source for about 2.5 million residents of the San Francisco Bay Area. These are called Bay Division Pipelines (BDPL) 1, 2, 3, and 4, with nominal pipeline diameters of 60, 66, 78, and 96 inches (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.4m, respectively). The Hetch Hetchy dam would still be as naturally beautiful as it was before when it was preserved, and along with that, the construction of the dam will benefit the greatest number of. After 2.5 miles (4.0 km), youll reach the Wapama Falls Bridge with an up-close view of the lowest section of Wapama Falls. As well dam for water-tanks the people's cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man. They poured an estimated total of more than 398,000 cubic yards (304,000 cubic meters) of concrete to form the dam. [5], The valley is fed by the Tuolumne River, Falls Creek, Tiltill Creek, Rancheria Creek, and numerous smaller streams which collectively drain a watershed of 459sqmi (1,190km2). [53], As completed, O'Shaughnessy Dam is 910 feet (280m) long, spanning the valley at its narrow outlet. The dam in the Hetch Hetchy valley of Yosemite National Park, first proposed in 1908, was intended to create a reservoir that would provide water and electricity for the burgeoning city of San Francisco. While John Muir led the fight against building the dam, the opposition was supported by Gifford Pinchot. Congress, confronted with rising public opposition, refused to act on the measure. Utilizing its superior resources, the city produced a detailed report which made a compelling case that, far from damaging the beauty of Yosemite, the dam would actually enhance it. Like Muir, he was totally transfixed by the Hetch Hetchy Valley. Everyone who drinks water or takes a shower in San Francisco should go. Argument Against The Hetchy Dam - 587 Words - Internet Public Library "Dam Hetch Hetchy!": John Muir Contests the Hetch-Hetchy Dam Through the manipulation of water, the company also had the power to determine which real estate became valuable and which languished. . The inadequacy of the citys existing water supply came into sharp focus. The restoration of Hetch Hetchy would be a simple task compared to some dam removal efforts. As a 13.4-mile (21.4 km) round-trip hike, Rancheria Falls gets fewer day-hikers than Wapama Falls but is a popular backpacking stop. No picture of the giant sequoia trees in Yosemite National Park manages to fully capture their immense size and majesty. Miners did not stay in the area for long, however, as richer deposits occurred further south along the Merced River and in the Big Oak Flat area. High temperatures prevail in summer months, but that is a small price to pay for the reward of vast wilderness filled with stunning peaks, hidden canyons, and remote lakes. What part should mountains, rivers, natural meadows or wild creatures play in American life? Guests at these suites receive breakfast on their patios. National opinion divided between giving San Francisco the right to dam the valley and preserving the valley from development. Muir concludes his treatise on Hetch Hetchy with the now familiar words, "Dam Hetch Hetchy! We have historic photographs to remind us of what Hetch Hetchy Valley looked like before the dam was built. In some cases, however, including the Klamath and Hetch Hetchy, the benefits of restoration clearly outweigh the benefits provided by the dams. [16], Compared with Yosemite Valley, the walls of Hetch Hetchy are smoother and rounder because it was glaciated to a greater extent. [5] The valley was slowly becoming known for its natural beauty, but it was never a popular tourist destination because of extremely poor access and the location of the famous Yosemite Valley just twenty miles to the south. And today there is even an organization, Restore Hetch Hetchy, which is committed to doing just that. The trail to Wapama Falls is one of the most popular trails in the Hetch Hetchy area for a good reason. Then, well need to weigh our options for other new large water supplies, all of which will have enormous environmental tradeoffs: think of building a desalination plant, fighting with Los Angeles over the Sacramento Delta, building a peripheral canal or siting new large dams in presently undammed Sierra mountains and foothills. It pitted Gifford Pinchot, Americas first forester, against John Muir, Americas legendary conservationist. Hours: Year-round, but only accessible by car when the Hetch Hetchy Road is open. Muir famously said, Dam Hetch Hetchy! If youre excited about a long hike or backpacking trip, you can continue to Laurel Lake for a 14.2-mile (22.9 km) out and back. It pitted a powerful city against a dedicated group of conservationists. To do so, it would either have to buy out the private monopoly at an exorbitant price or outmaneuver or outbid Spring Valley for a potential new reservoir., (Source: Natural Rivals: John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and the Creation of Americas Public Lands, John Clayton). Hetch Hetchy - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) First, the beauty of the valley which they felt should not be sacrificed to build a dam. The idea of punching a hole in or removing the dam and allowing the valley to be restored to its pre-development conditions has been around since the late 1980s. In 1987, President Reagans Secretary of the Interior, Donald Hodel, proposed that Hetch Hetchy be restored. Since the valley was within Yosemite National Park, an act of Congress was needed to authorize the project. Animals were principally driven along Joseph Screech's trail from Big Oak Flat to Hetch Hetchy. So the idea of planning for new water supplies need not be on the ballot. Restore Hetch Hetchy and the Environmental Defense Funds own studies support a lower cost estimate, ranging from $1 billion to $2 billion. It carried workers and materials for the dam, as well as tourists, postage and other amenities. The dam was then 227 feet (69m) high; its present height of 312 feet (95m) was achieved only later, in 1938. . benefits of hetch hetchy dam. This strenuous 2.5-mile, round-trip hike to the Tuolumne River has 1,229 feet of elevation gain. Visitors might still need chains to get down Evergreen Road this time of year, but a trip to Hetch Hetchy reveals an example of the potent storms, and a reservoir of controversy for 100 years. Following a fierce nationwide debate led by John Muir and Will Colby of the Sierra Club, the City of San Francisco was authorized by the U.S. Congress, in the Raker Act of 1913, to construct a dam and reservoir on the Tuolumne River in Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park. The Hetch Hetchy Valley underwent a monumental transformation when the City Of San Francisco received the approval of Congress in 1913 to build a dam in the Hetch Hetchy Valley, thus storing the water of the Tuolumne River and flooding the valley to a height of over 350 feet. Smith Peak (7,751 feet) is the highest point in the area and offers outstanding views. The battle over Hetch Hetchy was a fight to determine whether a beautiful valley would remain in its natural state or service the growing city of San Franciscos water needs. Fourth, dams alter water quality. The water from Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is used to supply system customers as well as to generate hydroelectric power; the reservoir is also operated to provide instream flows to benefit fisheries and other wildlife. San Francisco applied to the United States Department of the Interior to gain water rights to Hetch Hetchy, and in 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt's Secretary of the Interior, James R. Garfield, granted San Francisco the rights to development of the Tuolumne River. His path roughly follows the John Muir Highway State Highway 132 that runs from Highway 49 in Coulterville up through Greeley Hill before connecting back into Highway 120 before Buck Meadows and the turn-off to Hetch Hetchy. The battle for the Hetch Hetchy Valleys future was not simply preservation versus conservation. Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area youll pass right through Buck Meadows on Highway 120. The dam and reservoir are the source for the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct, which provides water for over . For your last day, enjoy a short hike on the shores of the beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. [18], Due to its abundant wetlands and stream pools, Hetch Hetchy was notorious among early travelers for becoming infested with mosquitoes in the summertime. Located at 3,900 feet, it boasts one of the longest hiking seasons in the park. Richard Ballinger was a conservative who was one of the main characters who was responsible for the progressive-conservative split in the GOP in 1912 (leading to the creation of the Bull Moose party), which is the factor that determined the GOP would be on the right side of the political spectrum (and therefore ensuring the Democrats would be on the left side of the spectrum). [37][38] However, ranchers who had previously owned land in the new park continued their use of Hetch Hetchy Valley a "sheep-grazing free-for-all [that] threatened to denude the High Sierra meadows"[37] before disputes over state and private properties in respect to national park boundaries were finally settled in the early 1900s.
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