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The Intriguing History of LA's Water: Visionaries or Villains?

Explore the fascinating tale of Los Angeles' water history, from its inception in 1874 to the controversial actions of key figures like William Mulholland and Fred Eaton. Delve into the complexities of water rights, political maneuvers, and the monumental project to bring water from Owens Valley. Reflect on the ethical dilemmas faced and the social impacts of LA's water journey, including the St. Francis Tragedy. Discover the balance between progress and consequences in this captivating narrative.

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The Intriguing History of LA's Water: Visionaries or Villains?

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  1. The history of LA water There it Is. Take it.

  2. Municipal Water Uses? • Drinking • Bathing • Household chores • Irrigation • Fire hydrants • Recreation

  3. Start in 1874 • LA has rights to all water in the Los Angeles River • “If you don’t get the water, you won’t need it” • Increasing water means increasing population and economic growth: social goal • 1903, the city takes over control • Board of Water Commissioners • Annexation and increasing water supply • 1904, need for augmenting the LA River

  4. William Mulholland1855-1935

  5. Fred Eaton1856-1934

  6. Visionaries or Villains • Creativity or Chicanery? • Bring water from the Owens Valley 235 miles to the north • Enterprising or Evil? • Need to collect the water rights • Politicians or Polecats? • Need to convince the public

  7. Water Rights • Eaton procured most of the rights in the Valley • Reclamation Service had plans for a local irrigation program (320 acres per farm) • Conflict of interest: Lippincott • All in secrecy • Mulholland procures the rest of the rights • July 29, 1905: TITANTIC PROJECT TO GIVE CITY A RIVER

  8. Eaton’s Situation • Sell LA all resources at cost • Hold onto one ranch • What is necessary for a reservoir? Describe the topology of the land • Sold to LA for $450,000 – twice the current value as a ranch. • Now Crowley Lake

  9. Mulholland • How the heck do we pay for this? • $25 million (1905) • $1.5M in bonds in 1905 to finish buying the rights • $23M in 1907 for construction • Overwhelming public approval • Scare tactics and growth dreams? • Timing of vote

  10. Other Issues • Needs for right-of-ways from Federal Government • Teddy Roosevelt: “The greatest good for the greatest number.” • LA has many more people than the Valley • 1906 legislation • Electricity production • Huntington: real estate profits

  11. Jeremy Bentham What ought to be the object of the legislator? He ought to assure himself of two things; 1st, that in every case, the incidents which he tries to prevent are really evils; and 2ndly, that if evils, they are greater than those which he employs to prevent them. 1748-1832

  12. First Pipe • Construction begins in 1908 • November 5, 1913 Water arrives • An engineering, political and social marvel

  13. The Villains? • Profiteering • San Fernando Valley • Unproven, but • Commissioner was also a syndicate owner • Dates are simply too coincidental • It was known that excess water would become available

  14. Owens Valley • Mary Austin • WAR= dynamite • Confrontation • Depopulation • Infracommunity conflict • Loss of economic activity • Death of Owens Lake

  15. St. Francis Tragedy • A dam that should not have been built • No outside consultation • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MdB_s6KhwA • Mulholland resigns in disgrace • What is the measure of a life?

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