Learn what to expect from Mirror Lake in various seasons. Hetch Hetchy - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service) 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. Hetch Hetchy Valley, Yosemite National Park, California The Greatest Located at 3,900 feet, it boasts one of the longest hiking seasons in the park. The terminus of the incomplete line was "conveniently located next to a PG&E substation", which connected to PG&E's private line which in turn bridged the gap to San Francisco. Winter storms fill Hetch Hetchy, renew debate about reservoir's future Park entry (as needed). 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. They were both initially carved by rivers flowing down the Sierras relatively gentle western slope. Hetch Hetchy Water & Power plans five-year $140M Mountain Tunnel As well dam for . 2 Existing Regional Water System - San Francisco Earn $27.3125 per hour. You can expect one (short) email per month. Apply Today! These benefits include: Reservoir-based recreation - swimming, fishing, camping etc. Muir observed:[3]. history. As John Clayton writes, At the height of Progressivism, Phelan and other good-government types believed that the city should administer its own utilities. [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. This ballot measure is so problematic that SPUR has taken early action to oppose it. Muir famously said, Dam Hetch Hetchy! [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. DWRs meta-study found a range of costs from $3 billion to $10 billion for restoration and replacement of water and power sources. Not only does it supply 85 percent of the water for 2.6 million people in San Francisco, controlled releases via the O'Shaughnessy Dam are helping preserve downstream specieseven in dry years. There are four fundamental ways in which dams damage rivers. 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. The deciding factor was whether or not the land in question had access to water. 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. That reservoir is New Don Pedro, and it rests over existing pipelines to the Bay Area. Hiking Hetch Hetchy: the unknown Yosemite National Park - 2TravelDads This can lead to algal blooms and decreased oxygen levels. There is plenty to see and do right here, from kayaking on the water to climbing the magnificent domes above. Right next to the Lucky Buck Cafe, youll find the Yosemite Westgate Lodge and Buck Meadows Lodge. Hetch Hetchy Valley was once home to a richly diverse ecosystem, surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls similar to those in neighboring Yosemite Valley. "Dam Hetch Hetchy!" - I Take History Hetch Hetchy, unlike other water storage facilities in California, is relatively buffered from near-term climate change because of its high elevation. Yes, the plan to drain Hetch Hetchy involves causing new ecological damage. Most people called it Hetch Hetchy, a mispronunciation of a Central Mohawk word for a plant that indigenous people were harvesting there when the first white man came along.. Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area youll pass right through Buck Meadows on Highway 120. ", "San Francisco-Hetch Hetchy Valley Connection", "Hetch Hetchy controversy: Could Yosemite's 'second valley' be restored? They would light upon a man's blue shirt and turn it brown, and were voracious as mosquitoes would be. Historians of the American conservation movement regard Pinchot as the foremost exemplar of the utilitarian approach to conservation, according to which man has a right to use natural resources, but also an obligation to use them wisely and efficientlyor as the classic criterion put it, the greatest good for the greatest number over the long run. As applied to forests and espoused by Pinchot, this meant that the nations forest reserves ought not to be maintained as inviolate sanctuaries, but opened to enlightened management.. The falls roar in spring and early summer. benefits of hetch hetchy dam. In terms of quality, Hetch Hetchy water is so pristine that it is one of only a handful of water supplies in the country that doesn't need to be filtered, a process that is expensive and energy intensive. The openings in the Taft administration led to the eventual success of the Raker Act. Rounding the corner and catching the first glimpses of Hetch Hetchy Valley reveals the play of light on water. 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. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir - O'Shaugnessy Dam - National Park Service If you delight in getting off the well-beaten path, or if you are looking for a peaceful natural retreat, its perfection. Gray pine, incense-cedar, and California black oak grow in abundance. 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. San Francisco had its eyes on this water source early on and repeatedly tried to acquire water rights to the Tuolumne River. Slow-moving reservoirs heat up, resulting in abnormal temperature fluctuations which can affect sensitive species. The Tuolumne River, the source of. It was the second tallest dam in the U.S. at the time. Muir concludes his treatise on Hetch Hetchy with the now familiar words, "Dam Hetch Hetchy! This 1910 view shows Kolana Rock and Tueeulala Falls in the background. Within three years, Congress had passed the Organic Act, formally defining the parks and creating a new federal agency, the National Park Service, with a mission: to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.. 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. Should natural resources be used to serve the greatest good for the greatest number? Controversy continues to swirl around the Hetch Hetchy Dam even now. Restore Hetch Hetchy and the Environmental Defense Funds own studies support a lower cost estimate, ranging from $1 billion to $2 billion. The battle for Hetch Hetchy wasnt just conservationists vs preservationists. "[83], Opponents of dam removal have pointed out that the flooding of the Hetch Hetchy Valley has also deterred the crowds that overrun other areas 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. 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. Hetch Hetchy is the incredible story of Americas most controversial dam and the birth of the environmental movement. Three strikes for San Francisco | Restore Hetch Hetchy 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. . RELATED: Meet The Real Life Batman & Robin Of The National Parks. People have died after being swept off the bridge and onto the rocks below. It has not been demonstrated that Hetch Hetchy is the only available source, but only that it might be the cheapest. Hetch Hetchy was the first major battle of the environmental movement. Fourth, dams alter water quality. [67], Preservation groups including the Sierra Club and Restore Hetch Hetchy state that draining Hetch Hetchy would open the valley back up to recreation, a right that should be provided to the American people because the reservoir is within the legal boundaries of a national park. But Sites would be what's called an off-channel reservoir, built away from the river. Within 50 years, vegetative cover would be complete except for exposed rocky areas. The Valley Below | The Verge That trip is a 19.1-mile (22.9 km) out and back, or you can turn the hike into a loop that returns past Rancheria Falls (28.2 miles, 45.4 km). Swimming and boating are prohibited in Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in order to maintain a clean source of drinking water. Camping included, if needed; limited sites are shared among all the . Yosemite's Secret Valley - Hetch Hetchy - YouTube First, they block rivers which prevents fish from migrating. 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. And, as you might imagine, it produces some of the cleanest municipal water in the United States. Horace Albright, the second director of the National Park Service, wrote that Franklin Lanes appointment to the cabinet was made specifically for the purpose of pushing this [Hetch Hetchy project], the so-called Raker-Pittman Bill. (Source: The Battle Over Hetch Hetchy, Robert W. Righter). Hetch Hetchy Environmental Debates | National Archives Enjoy elegant touches like wrap-around porches, and fresh-baked cookies served daily. Finally, with the railroad complete, teams broke ground on the OShaughnessy Dam on August 1, 1919. Its a a wonderful place to see spring waterfalls and wildflower displays. In spite of Muirs eloquent and heated objections, the Raker Act was signed into law in December of 1913. By Posted student houses falmouth 2021 In jw marriott panama concierge lounge [16], Compared with Yosemite Valley, the walls of Hetch Hetchy are smoother and rounder because it was glaciated to a greater extent. [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. 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). [36] Muir's friend Robert Underwood Johnson of the politically influential Century Magazine and several other prominent figures were inspired by Muir's work and helped to get Yosemite National Park established by October 1, 1890. The trail continues to climb for 1.8 miles (2.8 km) above the trail intersection, but you can turn around any time. 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. San Francisco Can Ban New Natural Gas Because It Destroyed The Hetch The inadequacy of the citys existing water supply came into sharp focus. Principally, dam removal on the Klamath will require annual replacement of 696 gigawatt hours of electricity by other means. He was a firm believer in utilitarian conservation. As in Yosemite, the sublime rocks of its walls seem to glow with life . The first Moccasin Powerhouse in Moccasin, California began commercial operation in 1925 followed by the Holm Powerhouse in 1960 (the same month the Early Intake Powerhouse was taken out of service). According to a local legend, Nate spotted a valley to the east that was too far to visit. Animals were principally driven along Joseph Screech's trail from Big Oak Flat to Hetch Hetchy. To visit the waterfalls or Yosemites northern backcountry, you walk across OShaughnessy Dam. [5] Local legend attributes the modern name Hetch Hetchy to Screech's initial arrival in the valley, during which he observed the Native Americans "cooking a variety of grass covered with edible seeds", which they called "hatch hatchy" or "hatchhatchie". The trail includes spectacular views of Tueeulala and Wapama Falls. During the late 19th century, the valley was renowned for its natural beauty often compared to that of Yosemite Valley but also targeted for the development of water supply for irrigation and municipal interests. The O'Shaughnessy Dam and reservoir, and the series of aqueducts, tunnels, and tunnels as well as 8 other dams make up the entire Hetch Hetchy Project. 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. They also remove water needed for healthy in-stream ecosystems. Wapama Fall is reached via a five-mile, round-trip hike that follows the shoreline of the reservoir with moderate up and downhill hiking. Argument Against The Hetchy Dam - 587 Words - Internet Public Library Even in the summer when Yosemite Valley is being explored by visitors from around the world, Hetch Hetchy remains an oasis of relative calm. Congress has set aside the Yosemite Valley as a state park in 1864, established a national park around it in 1890, and then reclaimed the valley as part of the national park in 1903. 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. Lawsuit to drain Hetch Hetchy Reservoir goes back to court [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. "[81] Hodel, now retired, is still[when?] On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It pitted a powerful city against a dedicated group of conservationists. [51][52] The aqueduct delivers an average of 265,000acreft (327,000,000m3) of water each year, or 31,900,000cuft (900,000m3) per day, to residents of San Francisco and San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda Counties. This is a place considered by John Muir to be equal in beauty to Yose. Healthy fish populations - by releasing sufficient instream flows for spawning and rearing downstream - sometimes to mitigate for the loss of spawning habitat caused by their construction, and Through the manipulation of water, the company also had the power to determine which real estate became valuable and which languished. William Howard Taft became president in 1909. Once again, the political pendulum would swing. Also convince them it would be a good idea to raise the heights of their dams so we can enlarge these reservoirs with our extra water, flooding anew many miles of the Tuolumne River and acres of currently dry land. [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. 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. Stand on OShaughnessy Dam and feel the cool updraft. 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. [54] The entire system produces about 1.7 billion kilowatt hours per year, enough to meet 20% of San Francisco's electricity needs. 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. The regional water system provides water to 2.4 million people in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Alameda and San Mateo counties. The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir created by the dam has a capacity of 360,400acreft (0.4445km3), with a maximum area of 1,972 acres (798ha) and a maximum depth of 306 feet (93m). It spans 900 feet (270 m) with a 17-foot (5.2 m) wide trail across the top that hikers use to cross to the opposite side. Hiking in Yosemite National Park | AAA Ohio Topic: Hoover Dam - Water Education Foundation John Muir once described Hetch Hetchy Valley as, a grand landscape garden, one of Natures rarest and most precious mountain temples.. In the autumn of 1871, John Muir visited Hetch Hetchy for the first time. Progressive political leaders, of whom Mayor Phelan was one, believed it was time to take this power away from the private interests and turn it over to the people. As a consequence, visitors came to experience it for themselves. Divide the class into four small groups. For example, plan to stop at the Lucky Buck Cafe on your way to or from a day of exploring Yosemite. Get SPUR news and events delivered straight to your email inbox. The first people, outside of Native Americans, to see the Hetch Hetchy Valley were Joseph, Nate and William Screechin 1850. HETCH HETCHY: The Epic Enviro Battle That Changed America 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. Congress, confronted with rising public opposition, refused to act on the measure. Hetch Valley Measure Pits Bay Area Against Environmentalists - The New [24] Screech reported that the valley was bitterly disputed between the "Pah Utah Indians" (Paiute) and "Big Creek Indians" (Miwok), and witnessed several fights in which the Paiute appeared to be the dominant tribe. Hours: Year-round, but only accessible by car when the Hetch Hetchy Road is open. Watershed Worker (Summer, 2023) - Hetch Hetchy Water & Power (Moccasin Residents drink it in 26 cities and water districts from San. Formerly called Buck Meadows Restaurant and Bar, the new caf crosses rustic-mountain flair with roadside cafe friendliness. The controversy over damming Hetch Hetchy became mired in the political issues of the day. 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. Within the ranks of the Sierra Club, there was a split between those San Francisco members who favored the dams municipal use versus those who believed this pristine area should not be tampered with under any circumstances. But Hetch Hetchy, one of nature's perfect . [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. Use good judgment and stay safe. [40] By the 1880s, San Francisco was looking to Hetch Hetchy water as a fix for its outdated and unreliable water system. "[19], People have lived in Hetch Hetchy Valley for over 6,000 years. Activity 1: Analysis. An anthropocentrist would agree with building the dam in the park without taking into consideration what the dam would do to the already existing ecosystem due to not caring about the established animals and plants. 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. As a result, San Francisco secured a reliable and . Many examples of red-barked manzanita can be seen along the Hetch Hetchy Road. A recent report evaluates the economic benefits of restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley. In terms of quality, Hetch Hetchy water is so pristine that it is one of only a handful of water supplies in the country that doesnt need to be filtered, a process that is expensive and energy intensive. [9] Formerly, a "small but noisy"[10] waterfall and natural pool existed on the Tuolumne River marked the upper entrance to Hetch Hetchy Valley,[11] informally known as Tuolumne Fall (not to be confused with a similarly named waterfall several miles upriver near Tuolumne Meadows). The grassroots organization of environmental activism, established by John Muir and his supporters, became a model for future environmentalists. View of the OShaughnessy Dam and the Hetchy Hetchy Road and parking. "[34], When Yosemite Valley became part of a state park in 1864, Hetch Hetchy received no such designation. As well dam for water-tanks the peoples cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man.. You could miss this small mountain community if you blink at the wrong time, but it is home to a few remarkable small businesses. 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. Not to be outdone by Los Angeles, San Francisco had a greater feat in mind: dam the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park and pipe the water into San Francisco. Water System | SFPUC 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. O'Shaughnessy Dam is a 430-foot (131 m) high concrete arch-gravity dam in Tuolumne County, California, United States.It impounds the Tuolumne River, forming the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir at the lower end of Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park, about 160 miles (260 km) east of San Francisco. In the future, we will certainly need diverse supplies to rely on in a prolonged drought, but we will also need Hetch Hetchy more than ever. Including additions made between 1934 and 1938, the dam currently stands 430 feet (131 m) above the bedrock below. Hetch Hetchy, for the time being, was safe, and it would not be inundated during Roosevelts watch.. Looking up at Wapama Falls from the footbridge on the hiking trail. By 1908, a different Interior Secretary, James R. Garfield, sided with the utilitarian conservationists and issued a permit for the Hetch Hetchy project. In: Educational Resources, History, National Parks, Your email address will not be published. California needed secure, reliable access to drinking water for their burgeoning populations. Only a tiny proportion of Yosemites visitors explore this out-of-the-way corner of the national park. Another popular trail crosses the OShaughnessy Dam and then takes a left turn to climb steeply out of the Hetch Hetchy valley. Giving a Dam: Congress Debates Hetch Hetchy - George Mason University The O'Shaughnessy Dam is near Yosemite's western boundary, but the long, narrow, fingerlike reservoir stretches eastward for about 8 miles (13 km). 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. PDF ISSUE GUIDE Hetch Hetchy - theautry.org There, he met the same Indian chief and his wives.
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