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Apply Today! history. For thousands of years before the arrival of settlers from the United States in the 1850s, the valley was inhabited by Native Americans who practiced subsistence hunting-gathering. Have all students read the debate overview and page one of the HR 7207, the "Raker Bill". . For John Muir, it was about preserving a natural wonder which could be enjoyed by generations to come. It involved the unintended consequences of efforts to shape the environment to meet human needs. It was the second tallest dam in the U.S. at the time. So the idea of planning for new water supplies need not be on the ballot. The upcountry portion of the System begins with Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park. 406 California Historical Landmark)", "John Muir's Yosemite: The father of the conservation movement found his calling on a visit to the California wilderness", "Timeline of the Ongoing Battle Over Hetch Hetchy", "The Hetch Hetchy Letters: If a Group of Intellectuals Argues in a Forest, and then that Forest is Submerged Under Water, Does Their Argument Matter? [31] Its meadows provided abundant feed for "thousands of head of sheep and cattle that entered lean and lank in the spring, but left rolling fat and hardly able to negotiate the precipitous and difficult defiles out of the mountains in the fall. 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. It is the primary water source for about 2.5 million residents of the San Francisco Bay Area. The maximum that the city has put away is 570,000 acre-feet of water. On a national stage, Hetch Hetchy became caught in the cross fire between the interests of private utilities ownership and those of municipal ownership. "[34], When Yosemite Valley became part of a state park in 1864, Hetch Hetchy received no such designation. 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. [2], Wapama Falls, at 1,080ft (330m), and Tueeulala Falls, at 840ft (260m) both among the tallest waterfalls in North America are both located in Hetch Hetchy Valley. Bierstadt described the valley as "smaller than the more famous valley but it presents many of the same features in his scenery and is quite as beautiful. [41], In 1906, after a major earthquake and subsequent fire that devastated San Francisco, the inadequacy of the city's water system was made tragically clear. The city must pay a lease of $30,000 per year for the use of Hetch Hetchy, which sits on federal land. Building the Dam. The trail continues to climb for 1.8 miles (2.8 km) above the trail intersection, but you can turn around any time. The O'Shaughnessy Dam is 430-foot (131 m) high made of concrete and it is named after engineer Michael O'Shaughnessy, who oversaw the entire construction. As the battle lines were drawn, the different methods employed by each side in presenting their case spoke to some of their basic assumptions about the nature of the issue. In fact, this is so obviously a good idea that the SFPUC and other end users of Hetch Hetchy water have been doing it for years. Once the glaciers retreated, tributaries leading into the main river were left hanging hundreds or thousands of feet above the valley floor, creating the beautiful waterfalls we know today. 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. Yes, the plan to drain Hetch Hetchy involves causing new ecological damage. Hetch Hetchy Dome, at 6,197ft (1,889m), lies directly north of it. Wapama Fall is reached via a five-mile, round-trip hike that follows the shoreline of the reservoir with moderate up and downhill hiking. They also remove water needed for healthy in-stream ecosystems. They would light upon a man's blue shirt and turn it brown, and were voracious as mosquitoes would be. Dam Hetch Hetchy! Hetch Hetchy's restoration, after all, will benefit national . 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. Hetch Hetchy water serves residents in four Bay Area counties, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Southern Alameda. The Freeman Report artfully depicted reservoirs in Norway, the United Kingdom and the eastern United States showing how nature and public utility worked together to improve their surroundings and provide long-term benefits for everyone. He said, So we come now face to face with the perfectly clean question of what is the best use to which this water that flows out of the Sierras can be put. Even before it was finished, the massive . 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. 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 . If you delight in getting off the well-beaten path, or if you are looking for a peaceful natural retreat, its perfection. RELATED: Meet The Real Life Batman & Robin Of The National Parks. Hetch Hetchy was the first major battle of the environmental movement. Two additional reservoirs in the Hetch Hetchy RegionLake Eleanor and Lake Lloyd (also Consider one project in progress that involves re-routing an entire river . From 1901 - 1913, John Muir led the Sierra Club in a campaign to protect the Hetch Hetchy Valley, a part of Yosemite National Park, from being filled by a reservoir. As in Yosemite, the sublime rocks of its walls seem to glow with life . Many are vital pieces of infrastructure that provide reliable water supplies, hydropower, flood control, and recreation. Photo: Chris Migeon. 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. As Muir famously protested: Dam Hetch Hetchy? Its a a wonderful place to see spring waterfalls and wildflower displays. Muir and other defenders of Hetch Hetchy believe the fight revolved around two central issues. According to a local legend, Nate spotted a valley to the east that was too far to visit. [82] Dianne Feinstein opposed this allocation, saying, "I will do all I can to make sure it isn't included in the final bill. And it is the largest single source of water supply for the Bay Area. As a result, San Francisco secured a reliable and . The O'Shaughnessy Dam is near Yosemite's western boundary, but the long, narrow, fingerlike reservoir stretches eastward for about 8 miles (13km). As well dam for water-tanks the peoples cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man . Assign each group to analyze one or more . Hetch Hetchy and many others were built by . [16], Compared with Yosemite Valley, the walls of Hetch Hetchy are smoother and rounder because it was glaciated to a greater extent. ", "Three Square Miles of Open Space: Is It Enough? The dam was then 227 feet (69m) high; its present height of 312 feet (95m) was achieved only later, in 1938. a strong proponent of restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley and Senator Feinstein is still[when?] [3] Kolana Rock, at 5,772ft (1,759m), is a massive rock spire on the south side of the Hetch Hetchy Valley. 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. From this work, we have concluded that it is not wise to reduce water storage facilities considering the realities of a growing population and climate change. The falls roar in spring and early summer. To get the electricity they would need, they first built a smaller dam at Lake Eleanor. Park entry (as needed). The O'Shaughnessy Dam is near Yosemite's western boundary, but the long, narrow, fingerlike reservoir stretches eastward for about 8 miles (13 km). [69], In 1987, the idea of razing the O'Shaughnessy Dam gained an adherent in Don Hodel, Secretary of the Department of the Interior under President Ronald Reagan. The Tuolumne River continues through Tuolumne Meadows and the associated park developments at an elevation of 8,600 feet. remains the least visited area of the park. Hetch Hetchy, located at 3,900 feet in Yosemite National Park, is one of the park's most popular hiking . But what about when the lake dries? No BS! If the dam were not to be built, it would only benefit the small percentage of Americans who actually visited the site and were concerned about the park's pristine condition. Since then, the "Hetch Hetchy System" has continued to grow, now including nine impoundments . strongly against restoration. This trail is 13 miles round-trip with 3,700 feet elevation gain. By Posted student houses falmouth 2021 In jw marriott panama concierge lounge Hetch Hetchy, unlike other water storage facilities in California, is relatively buffered from near-term climate change because of its high elevation. 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. Winter weather conditions may cause road closures. Smith Peak (7,751 feet) is the highest point in the area and offers outstanding views. "[19], People have lived in Hetch Hetchy Valley for over 6,000 years. Denouncing dam proponents as greedy, he wrote, These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the Mountains, life them to the Almighty Dollar. 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. It pitted a powerful city against a dedicated group of conservationists. Everyone who drinks water or takes a shower in San Francisco should go. Standing upon it will give you the chance to appreciate the sublimity of both nature and human achievement. The first people, outside of Native Americans, to see the Hetch Hetchy Valley were Joseph, Nate and William Screechin 1850. But during peak spring flow, the thundering waterfall can wash over the bridge making it dangerous to cross. 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. 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. The battle for Hetch Hetchy was perhaps the first effort at what is now known as "grassroots lobbying," getting individual citizens to contact elected officials in support . 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. 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. Stand on OShaughnessy Dam and feel the cool updraft. The reservoir supplies water for the city of San Francisco, so there is no recreational boating or swimming allowed. But if you still have energy, continue past the bridge to Rancheria Falls. The OShaughnessy Dam was completed in 1938 and is 430-feet tall. The regional water system provides water to 2.4 million people in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Alameda and San Mateo counties. [21][33] Albert Bierstadt, Charles Dorman Robinson and William Keith were known for their landscapes that drew tourists to the Hetch Hetchy Valley. And, as you might imagine, it produces some of the cleanest municipal water in the United States. The chief replied, There is no valley. [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). In continuance, water has a personality and the presence of it can change moods and help people feel better. The Hetch Hetchy Valley is a part of Yosemite National Park. The walls of both are of gray granite, rise abruptly out of the flowery grass and groves are sculptured in the same style, and in both every rock is a glacial monument., (Source: Journal of Sierra Nevada History & Biography, Hetch-Hetchy, Natural History Before The Dam, Joe Medeiros), In defense of Hetch Hetchy, Muir crafted some of his most famous prose. What should be the fate of prairies, wetlands, or coastal marshes?