The reservoir supplies water for the city of San Francisco, so there is no recreational boating or swimming allowed. Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area youll pass right through Buck Meadows on Highway 120. . They poured an estimated total of more than 398,000 cubic yards (304,000 cubic meters) of concrete to form the dam. 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. 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. 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. But during peak spring flow, the thundering waterfall can wash over the bridge making it dangerous to cross. 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? Yet it also highlighted the division within the conservation movement over two fundamental principles: utilitarian conservation versus preservation. [14] At maximum extent, Tioga Glacier may have been 60mi (97km) long and up to 4,000ft (1,200m) thick, filling Hetch Hetchy Valley to the brim and spilling over the sides, carving out the present rugged plateau country to the north and southwest. 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. "[81] Hodel, now retired, is still[when?] He discovered it a few of years later. You can expect one (short) email per month. When changes are made there are unintended consequences. The waterfall on the Tuolumne is now submerged under Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Then it travels through a series of mountain tunnels. 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. 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. Forests might provide for the material well-being of human beings, but they did not exist for this reason alone. The restoration of Hetch Hetchy would be a simple task compared to some dam removal efforts. Seventeen species of bats inhabit the Hetch Hetchy area, including the largest North American bat, the western mastiff. Even before it was finished, the massive . On returning home, he asked an Indian chief the name of the valley. The trail to Wapama Falls is one of the most popular trails in the Hetch Hetchy area for a good reason. It then cascades on its westward descent through the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, and enters the eastern end of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. The reservoir provides water to a large portion of the Bay Area through a 160 mile delivery. For example, plan to stop at the Lucky Buck Cafe on your way to or from a day of exploring Yosemite. . The battle for the Hetch Hetchy Valleys future was not simply preservation versus conservation. It would be almost impossible to build a new dam there today. First, they block rivers which prevents fish from migrating. They suggest that draining the reservoir and turning Hetch Hetchy Valley into a tourist center similar to Yosemite Valley could be worth up to $178 million per year. In spite of Muirs eloquent and heated objections, the Raker Act was signed into law in December of 1913. The Dam flooded about nine miles of the river, including the Hetch Hetchy valley. If youre up for a driving adventure, try taking a little extra time to retrace parts of the route John Muir described in his book, My First Summer in the Sierra. 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. The main power facility in the system, the Moccasin Powerhouse, began commercial operation on August 14, 1925. Activity 1: Analysis. This option favors building a dam in the Hetch Hetchy Valley to provide hundreds of thou- sands of San Francisco residents with water and electricitybasic necessities for health and well-being, as well as urban development and economic growth. As in Yosemite, the sublime rocks of its walls seem to glow with life . The first people, outside of Native Americans, to see the Hetch Hetchy Valley were Joseph, Nate and William Screechin 1850. SPUR wholeheartedly agrees that planning for water quality and reliability is important. [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. 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. 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. [58], Water from Hetch Hetchy is some of the cleanest municipal water in the United States; San Francisco is one of six U.S. cities not required by law to filter its tap water, although the water is disinfected by ozonation and, since 2011, exposure to UV. 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. Photo: Herbert W. Gleason courtesy of the Sierra Club. There have been lawsuits over whether San Francisco violated the agreements of the Raker Act. Construction of O'Shaughnessy Dam began in 1919 and was finished in 1923, with the reservoir first filling in May of that year. Included with your registration: Two-day guided experience in Yosemite; one day at Hetch Hetchy and one day in Ackerson Meadow (Saturday, May 11, at 8 am, through Sunday, May 12, until about 3 pm). Required fields are marked *. [13], Hetch Hetchy is home to a diverse array of plants and animals. 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. One route begins six miles beyond the entrance station. [53], As completed, O'Shaughnessy Dam is 910 feet (280m) long, spanning the valley at its narrow outlet. Standing upon it will give you the chance to appreciate the sublimity of both nature and human achievement. 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. [17] The valley's abundant plants provided nourishment for mule deer, black bears and bighorn sheep. There is a third concept, too, though it was little understood at the time. The fundamental issue involved two concepts. This strenuous 2.5-mile, round-trip hike to the Tuolumne River has 1,229 feet of elevation gain. For all the similarities between Hetch Hetchy Valley and Yosemite Valley, there is one enormous difference the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. As a result, San Francisco secured a reliable and . [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. 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 . Glaciers followed these low-points, leaving their own marks in particular carving out the characteristic U-shaped valley with steep sides and wide floor. Monroe was a Chicago poet who joined Muir and others on their 1908 and 1909 outings to the valley. "[32], In 1867, Charles F. Hoffman of the California Geological Survey conducted the first survey of the valley. . This is a place considered by John Muir to be equal in beauty to Yose. She says the water first leaves Hetch Hetchy through the O'Shaughnessy Dam. 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. The trail continues to climb for 1.8 miles (2.8 km) above the trail intersection, but you can turn around any time. . To get to Hetch Hetchy, turn north off Highway 120 onto Evergreen Road about 1 mile (2.2 km) outside the Big Oak Flat Entrance gate, and 12.5 miles (20 km) east of the small community of Buck Meadows. The second concept is preservation. 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. Third, dams alter natural habitats and change the ways in which rivers function. Building the Hetch Hetchy dam in such a remote location was an enormous project. 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. [70] Hodel called for a study of the effect of tearing down the dam. The surface of the water hides an additional 300 feet of granite cliffs and once-upon-a-time waterfalls within its depths. [77][78], The economic wisdom of removing the dam has been frequently questioned. Hetch Hetchy Dome, at 6,197ft (1,889m), lies directly north of it. Note: you may use the handout or navigate to our feature on the Hetch Hetchy Environmental Debates to access the overview and copy of the Raker Bill. Not far from there, youll find more budget-minded lodging at Buck Meadows Lodge. . Located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, the dam captures water from the . [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. There is plenty to see and do right here, from kayaking on the water to climbing the magnificent domes above. This can lead to algal blooms and decreased oxygen levels. [28][29] About 1853, his brother, Joseph Screech (credited in some accounts for the original discovery of the valley)[27] blazed the first trail from Big Oak Flat, a mining camp near present-day Lake Don Pedro,[30] for 38mi (61km) northeast to Hetch Hetchy Valley. 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. Five country-chic rooms in the main building include en suite bathrooms, free WiFi and electric fireplaces. The dam and reservoir are the source for the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct, which provides water for over . Friday, enjoy an evening about bats starting at 7 pm. If, on the other hand, San Francisco gained control, it would signal in important victory for public power resulting in lower rates for the people. The chief replied, There is no valley. The OShaughnessy Dam was completed in 1938 and is 430-feet tall. Environmentalists lost what was the opening battle in a fight to preserve Americas natural wonders. Only a tiny proportion of Yosemites visitors explore this out-of-the-way corner of the national park. [63] The city justified this as a temporary measure, but no attempt to follow through with completing the municipal grid was ever made. (Read SPURs analysis of this plan.) 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. DWRs meta-study found a range of costs from $3 billion to $10 billion for restoration and replacement of water and power sources. As surely as forests provided timber, so did they provide beauty, inspiration, and the renewal of over-citified spirits. [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. 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. In this unmanaged scenario, where nature is left to take hold in the valley, eventually a forest would grow, rather than the meadow being restored. It pitted Gifford Pinchot, Americas first forester, against John Muir, Americas legendary conservationist. 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. 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. Fortunately, that time has not yet come, so this November, vote no on the Water Sustainability and Environmental Restoration Planning Act of 2012. Lets keep Hetch Hetchy around for the forseeable future. The same features that make Hetch Hetchy Valley so spectacular also make it an ideal location for a dam. Consider one project in progress that involves re-routing an entire river . 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. The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir also serves to provide energy in the form of hydroelectricity, with a capacity of over 200 megawatts a year. Pinchot was Americas Forester. He served as the first head of the United States Forest Service. The locations of these two formations roughly correspond with those of Cathedral Rocks and El Capitan seen from Tunnel View in Yosemite Valley. Enjoy elegant touches like wrap-around porches, and fresh-baked cookies served daily. As of October 2022, Hetch Hetchy was at 77.5% of its capacity. As the Hetch Hetchy Valley was part of Yosemite National Park, Hitchcock preferred to protect the park's natural wonders. Its a a wonderful place to see spring waterfalls and wildflower displays. For your last day, enjoy a short hike on the shores of the beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. In the Bay Area, Hetch Hetchy water is stored in local facilities including Calaveras Reservoir, Crystal Springs Reservoir, and San Antonio Reservoir. Instead, the magnificence of a valley often described as Yosemite Valleys slightly smaller twin takes center stage. 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. At the time, neither side understood the long-range consequences of human actions to manage the environment. About one million years ago, the extensive Sherwin glaciation widened, deepened and straightened river valleys along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, including Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite Valley, and Kings Canyon farther to the south. Hetch Hetchy's restoration, after all, will benefit national . Like Muir, she felt the beauty of the valley was a national treasure which ought to be preserved. First, the beauty of the valley which they felt should not be sacrificed to build a dam. 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 Have all students read the debate overview and page one of the HR 7207, the "Raker Bill". Everyone who drinks water or takes a shower in San Francisco should go. The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir itself store 85% of the City's overall drinking water supply, the remaining 15% is stored in the system's 5 other reservoirs. For instance, the WET company helps people see the beauty of water through magnificent water fountains. For thousands of years, Native Americans subjected the valley to controlled bushfires, which prevented forest from taking over the valley meadows. . 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. A) 5 billion B . 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). 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 . 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. John Muir, the first president of the Sierra Club, condemned plans to build the dam, saying, "Dam Hetch Hetchy! Dam the Hetch Hetchy! I will agree to take down Hetch Hetchy, when we first replace it with a bigger new reservoir such as a bigger taller Yosemite Valley dam at El Capitan. The Tuolumne River continues through Tuolumne Meadows and the associated park developments at an elevation of 8,600 feet.
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