The O'Shaughnessy Dam is near Yosemite's western boundary, but the long, narrow, fingerlike reservoir stretches eastward for about 8 miles (13km). Albert Bierstadt was known for his sweeping landscapes of the American West. The O'Shaughnessy Dam is near Yosemite's western boundary, but the long, narrow, fingerlike reservoir stretches eastward for about 8 miles (13 km). Since the valley was within Yosemite National Park, an act of Congress was needed to authorize the project. There have been lawsuits over whether San Francisco violated the agreements of the Raker Act. Dam shame / It's time that San Francisco let go of Hetch Hetchy - SFGATE Dam Hetch Hetchy! Hetch Hetchy water serves residents in four Bay Area counties, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Southern Alameda. Controversy continues to swirl around the Hetch Hetchy Dam even now. As well dam for . At SPUR, we have done a lot of work on climate change adaptation. San Francisco was able to accomplish this in 1925 by claiming it had run out of funds to extend the Hetch Hetchy transmission line all the way to the city. Worth a Dam? - Earth Island Journal A recent report evaluates the economic benefits of restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley. Many are vital pieces of infrastructure that provide reliable water supplies, hydropower, flood control, and recreation. [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). The Hetch Hetchy Road drops into the valley at the dam, but all points east of there are roadless, and accessible only to hikers and equestrians. Building the Hetch Hetchy dam in such a remote location was an enormous project. Have all students read the debate overview and page one of the HR 7207, the "Raker Bill". Upcountry and the Bay Area. Through the manipulation of water, the company also had the power to determine which real estate became valuable and which languished. Surrounding the water are a few waterfalls, the most prominent being Tueeulala and Wapama Falls, and countless rock features. San Francisco Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Initiative, Proposition F As we all know, there is no use of water that is higher than the domestic use., He went on to say, We come straight to the question of whether the advantage of leaving this valley in a state of nature is greater than the advantage of using it for the benefit of the city of San Francisco.. The trail continues to climb for 1.8 miles (2.8 km) above the trail intersection, but you can turn around any time. California needed secure, reliable access to drinking water for their burgeoning populations. [2] From Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the water flows through the Canyon and Mountain Tunnels to Kirkwood and Moccasin Powerhouses, which have capacities of 124 and 110 megawatts, respectively. Over the last 35 years, the idea has been studied by the Environmental Defense Fund, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, UC Davis, and several state agencies. Within 50 years, vegetative cover would be complete except for exposed rocky areas. Hetch Hetchy System - BAWSCA [18], Due to its abundant wetlands and stream pools, Hetch Hetchy was notorious among early travelers for becoming infested with mosquitoes in the summertime. [75] The remaining deficit would likely have to be replaced by polluting fossil fuel generation. Application Opening: February 10, 2023 Application Filing Deadline: March 3, 2023 Hourly Compensation: $27.3125 Recruitment ID: RTF0131751-01138303 (131752) APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Exempt: This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. The most prominent preservationist spokesman was John Muir.. Environment Quiz 1 Chapters 1-3 Flashcards | Quizlet 2023 Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, Yosemite Itineraries: What to Do in Yosemite. Should natural resources be used to serve the greatest good for the greatest number? A bigger population will increase demand, meanwhile climate change could significantly reduce supply through drought and hydrological cycle changes. This ballot measure is so problematic that SPUR has taken early action to oppose it. Off Deadline: Is 'Restore Hetch Hetchy' a pipe dream or a living vision Even before it was finished, the massive . In the Bay Area, Hetch Hetchy water is stored in local facilities including Calaveras Reservoir, Crystal Springs Reservoir, and San Antonio Reservoir. RELATED: Meet The Real Life Batman & Robin Of The National Parks. Third, dams alter natural habitats and change the ways in which rivers function. Ultimately, San Francisco sold hydropower from the dam to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), which led to decades of legal wrangling and controversy over terms in the Raker Act. Those who did visit it were enchanted by its scenery, but encountered difficulties with the primitive conditions and, in summertime, swarms of mosquitoes. Get SPUR news and events delivered straight to your email inbox. And Hetch Hetchy's damming has inspired generations of conservationists to protect our natural heritage and to commit to safeguarding our protected areas. The reservoir is eight miles long and the largest single body of water in Yosemite. From our petition "The cost of replacing water storage in Hetch Hetchy Valley to maintain the current levels of water service and electrical power production by CCSF would be approximately 2 billion dollars, including 199 million dollars for additional interties, 372 million dollars for water supply, 387 million dollars for water treatment, 669 The Tuolumne River originates in the peaks above Tuolumne Meadows and is the major drainage system for the northern part of Yosemite. We're not going to remove this dam, and the funding is unnecessary. 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. Hetch Hetchy is unique because of its small holding capacity in comparison to the vast watershed feeding it. Hetch Hetchy: Pros and Cons of Restoration - Yosemite Tales They acknowledge that a concerted effort would have to be made to control the introduction of wildlife and tourism back into the valley in order to prevent destabilization of the ecosystem,[68] and that it might be decades or even centuries before the valley could be returned to natural conditions. Richard Ballinger was appointed his Interior Secretary. The reservoir provides water to a large portion of the Bay Area through a 160 mile delivery. It has two trailhead options. Second, dams slow rivers. Consequences - Hetch Hetchy: The Valley of Broken Promises Another popular trail crosses the OShaughnessy Dam and then takes a left turn to climb steeply out of the Hetch Hetchy valley. Including additions made between 1934 and 1938, the dam currently stands 430 feet (131 m) above the bedrock below. These benefits include: Reservoir-based recreation - swimming, fishing, camping etc. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. 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. History - Hetch Hetchy - Sierra Club "[32], In 1867, Charles F. Hoffman of the California Geological Survey conducted the first survey of the valley. [66] In 2015, Restore Hetch Hetchy filed a complaint arguing that the construction of the dam had violated a provision in the constitution of California about water use, but the lawsuit was rejected by an appeals court and later the California State Supreme Court. Back in the early nineteen hundreds, when the debate start about The Hetch Hetchy dam being built a large majority of people did not realize or care how valuable nature is. Mirror Lakes famous spring-time reflections capture the eye and mind. As of October 2022, Hetch Hetchy was at 77.5% of its capacity. The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which lies within the Yosemite National Park, supplies 85% of the water needs of San Francisco and surrounding counties. Guests at these suites receive breakfast on their patios. A national debate ensued between the preservationist and conservationist factions of the young environmental movement. These clean and comfortable rooms also enjoy access to the pool, spa and other facilities at Yosemite Westgate Lodge. The Hetch Hetchy Valley was within Yosemite National Park and protected by the federal government, leaving it up to Congress to decide the valley's fate. During summer, people of the Miwok and Paiute came to Hetch Hetchy from the Central Valley in the west and the Great Basin in the east. . 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. remains the least visited area of the park. Muir observed:[3]. While opponents of the dam were hard pressed for financial support, the city of San Franciscos campaign was well financed. Specialty pricing may require . Hetch Hetchy Environmental Debates | National Archives It marks the first catchment in a 160-mile long water system that brings high quality, superb-tasting water to 2.6 million residents of the Bay Area every day. The entire valley is now flooded under an average 300ft (91m) of water behind the dam, although it occasionally reemerges in droughts, as it did in 1955, 1977, and 1991. SPUR wholeheartedly agrees that planning for water quality and reliability is important. Other trails also continue to Lake Vernon. (Source: American Rivers, How Dams Damage Rivers). For most of the year the waterfall offers a refreshing shower or cooling mist along with an amazing view. [21] Miwok names are still used for features, including Tueeulala Fall, Wapama Fall, and Kolana Rock. Looking up at Wapama Falls from the footbridge on the hiking trail. The new 68-mile (109 km) railroad wound its way up the narrow canyon of the Tuolumne River past sharp curves and up steep 4% grades. 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 was the second tallest dam in the U.S. at the time. The city must pay a lease of $30,000 per year for the use of Hetch Hetchy, which sits on federal land. Due to extreme winter weather, Yosemite National Park is closed with no estimated date of reopening. Slow down and spend the day at Tenaya Lake a beautiful and easy-to-get-to alpine lake cupped by granite domes. But the ultra-liberal President Woodrow Wilson signed off in 1913 on the multi-decade construction of a series of dams within Yosemite National Park that flooded Hetch Hetchy Valley to create a massive reservoir, hydroelectric plants, and a 167-mile aqueduct for the sole benefit of the City of San Francisco. Water could be diverted into the Kirkwood and Moccasin Powerhouses using lower-impact diversion dams, providing power generation on a seasonal basis, and the enlarged height at Don Pedro would also increase power generation there. 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. [72] The water storage provided at Hetch Hetchy could be transferred into Lake Don Pedro lower on the Tuolumne River by raising the New Don Pedro Dam 30ft (9.1m). While the debate goes on, Hetch Hetchy remains a relaxing and often-overlooked corner of the park much to the delight of hikers and backpackers who prefer less touristy experiences. The view in Hetch Hetchy Valley As you know by now, the hike is 90% along the reservoir so you always get to see the most beautiful blue water in all of California. Glaciers followed these low-points, leaving their own marks in particular carving out the characteristic U-shaped valley with steep sides and wide floor. It is part of our More than Just Parks Environmental Heroes series. At full capacity, the reservoir stretches eight miles (13 km) upstream of the OShaughnessy Dam. Public disapproval nationwide with the Raker Act helped to bring about the creation of the National Park Service. 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. A large part of today's incentive for restoration is that when the dam and the Hetch Hetchy reservoir were authorized by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913, as the Raker Act, the Hetch Hetchy Valley . Seventeen species of bats inhabit the Hetch Hetchy area, including the largest North American bat, the western mastiff. As a result, San Francisco secured a reliable and . The Hetch Hetchy Dam in the Yosemite Valley, receives the bulk of it's water from the sierra snow pack miles above the reservoir. Gray pine, incense-cedar, and California black oak grow in abundance. Finally, with the railroad complete, teams broke ground on the OShaughnessy Dam on August 1, 1919. As well dam for water-tanks the people's cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been . Located at 3,900 feet, Hetch Hetchy boasts one of the longest hiking seasons in the park and is an ideal place for thundering spring waterfalls and wildflower displays. [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. Hetch Hetchy, located at 3,900 feet in Yosemite National Park, is one of the park's most popular hiking . But Hetch Hetchy, one of nature's perfect . As surely as forests provided timber, so did they provide beauty, inspiration, and the renewal of over-citified spirits. Those in favor of dam removal have pointed out that many actions by San Francisco since 1913 have been in violation of the Raker Act, which explicitly stated that power and water from Hetch Hetchy could not be sold to private interests. Put another way, if Congress denied the city of San Francisco the Hetch Hetchy Valley, the California Progressive leaders suspected that it would only be a matter of time before the emerging Pacific Gas and Electric Company would grab the area. [30] After the valley's native inhabitants were driven out by the newcomers, it was used by ranchers, many of whom were former miners, to graze livestock. Secretary of the Interior, Ethan Allen Hitchcock, refused to give San Francisco a permit to build the dam. Monroe went on to lobby members of Congress as the battle moved to Washington D.C. She was a tireless advocate who believed that people needed to be educated in order to do what was best for everyone involved. But tearing OShaughnessy Dam down now in order to restore Hetch Hetchy Valley would be a disaster.
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