By 1908, a different Interior Secretary, James R. Garfield, sided with the utilitarian conservationists and issued a permit for the Hetch Hetchy project. Garfield had granted San Franciscos request, but Ballinger ordered the city to show cause as to why Hetch Hetchy should not be deleted from their grant. A) human well-being B) renewable energy C) environmental sustainability D) cultural services E) human population growth, The current total world population has just passed ________. Us too! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is interesting from an ideological perspective. can you smoke on royal caribbean cruise ships benefits of hetch hetchy 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 history of Californias growth is inextricably linked to the search for water. The chief replied, There is no valley. Hetch Hetchy water travels 160 miles via gravity from . Although Hetch Hetchy is included within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park, the entrance is separate from the rest of the park. This is because the Tuolumne catchment basin above Hetch Hetchy is almost three times as large as the catchment area of the Merced River above Yosemite, allowing a greater volume of ice to form. Muir and other defenders of Hetch Hetchy believe the fight revolved around two central issues. But during peak spring flow, the thundering waterfall can wash over the bridge making it dangerous to cross. [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. 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. The battle over Hetch Hetchy was a fight to determine whether a beautiful valley would remain in its natural state or service the growing city of San Franciscos water needs. By Posted student houses falmouth 2021 In jw marriott panama concierge lounge [26], In the early 1850s, a mountain man by the name of Nathan Screech[27] became the first non-Native American to enter the valley. John Muir once described Hetch Hetchy Valley as, a grand landscape garden, one of Natures rarest and most precious mountain temples.. 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. Pinchot was recognized as a leader of the conservation movement. Pinchot was Americas Forester. He served as the first head of the United States Forest Service. [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. 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. Assign each group to analyze one or more . "[65] Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior in the late 1930s, said there was a violation of the Raker Act, but he and the city reached an agreement in 1945. Two additional reservoirs in the Hetch Hetchy RegionLake Eleanor and Lake Lloyd (also Photo: Chris Migeon. 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. Browers Hetch Hetchy: Undoing A Great American Mistake, makes a compelling case for restoring the valley to its previous glory. It is the source of water for the city of San Francisco. In spite of Muirs eloquent and heated objections, the Raker Act was signed into law in December of 1913. The same features that make Hetch Hetchy Valley so spectacular also make it an ideal location for a dam. DWR also found that the planning studies necessary to refine the costs and benefits of restoration would cost $65 million alone. As well dam for water-tanks the peoples cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man . [47] On October 28, 1934 twenty years after the beginning of construction on the Hetch Hetchy project a crowd of 20,000 San Franciscans gathered to celebrate the arrival of the first Hetch Hetchy water in the city. It involved the unintended consequences of efforts to shape the environment to meet human needs. He discovered it a few of years later. [42] They claimed the valley was not unique and would be even more beautiful with a lake. What part should mountains, rivers, natural meadows or wild creatures play in American life? This effort was famously and vociferously fought by John Muir and was the subject of a national debate for years; the loss later galvanized the Sierra Club to successfully oppose large dams in Dinosaur National Monument and Grand Canyon National Park. Smith Peak (7,751 feet) is the highest point in the area and offers outstanding views. At the time, neither side understood the long-range consequences of human actions to manage the environment. California needed secure, reliable access to drinking water for their burgeoning populations. 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. . This valley was isolated and remote, twenty miles northwest of the original. [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. 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. It is 13 miles from the Yosemite National Park border and twice as close to the park than the town of Groveland. That reservoir is New Don Pedro, and it rests over existing pipelines to the Bay Area. "[19], People have lived in Hetch Hetchy Valley for over 6,000 years. If the nation set aside some natural places as especially sacred, how far beyond their borders should a sense of the sacred extend? Hetch Hetchy and many others were built by . [21][33] Albert Bierstadt, Charles Dorman Robinson and William Keith were known for their landscapes that drew tourists to the Hetch Hetchy Valley. In the foreground, the deep still water of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir reflects sunshine, clouds and the proud shadows of the surrounding mountains. It is the primary water source for about 2.5 million residents of the San Francisco Bay Area. 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 . Earn $27.3125 per hour. [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. Construction of O'Shaughnessy Dam began in 1919 and was finished in 1923, with the reservoir first filling in May of that year. The first people, outside of Native Americans, to see the Hetch Hetchy Valley were Joseph, Nate and William Screechin 1850. Hetch Hetchy Valley, far from being a plain, common, rock-bound meadow, as many who have not seen it seem to suppose, is a grand landscape garden, one of Nature's rarest and most precious mountain temples. This can be very disorienting to fish and disrupt their migrations as they depend on steady streams and flows to guide them. 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. Gray pine, incense-cedar, and California black oak grow in abundance. [46], Work on the Hetch Hetchy Project began in 1914. Gifford Pinchot: A 2021 Lesson From Americas First Forester, Meet The Real Life Batman & Robin Of The National Parks, Natural Rivals: John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and the Creation of Americas Public Lands, Gifford Pinchot and the Making of Modern Environmentalism, Son of the Wilderness: The Life of John Muir, General Sherman Tree: Everything You Need to Know About The Largest Tree in the World, 11 BEST National Parks Near San Francisco to Visit (Expert Guide), 7 EPIC National Parks Near Santa Ana Youll Love (Photos + Guide). And today there is even an organization, Restore Hetch Hetchy, which is committed to doing just that. The waterfall on the Tuolumne is now submerged under Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. The water winds between granite features like Kolana Rock and Hetch Hetchy Dome. 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. Located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, the dam captures water from the . No picture of the giant sequoia trees in Yosemite National Park manages to fully capture their immense size and majesty. He produced at least four oil paintings of the valley one of which is prominently displayed in Mount Holyoke Colleges art museum. 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.. [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. 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). A recent report evaluates the economic benefits of restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley. She says the water first leaves Hetch Hetchy through the O'Shaughnessy Dam. Glaciers followed these low-points, leaving their own marks in particular carving out the characteristic U-shaped valley with steep sides and wide floor. The most prominent preservationist spokesman was John Muir.. 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. On a national stage, Hetch Hetchy became caught in the cross fire between the interests of private utilities ownership and those of municipal ownership. The OShaughnessy Dam was completed in 1938 and is 430-feet tall. If you want to follow the old railroad line today, the Hetch Hetchy Road and most of the Mather Road were built on the old railroad bed and are beautiful scenic drives as well. 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. 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. In the sum of American economic expansion the intrusion might have seemed a minor, obscure matter, but to [John] Muir immense issues were involved: why had the nation preserved that pure wildness in the first place? 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. Would that be an improvement? [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. OPTION 3Give control to the local people of Hetch Hetchy Use good judgment and stay safe. "[85] However, she does support breaching the dam once it has reached the end of its lifespan, and not replacing it. Albright, along with Stephen Mather, became instrumental players in the creation of a national park system three years after Congress decided the issue of Hetch Hetchy. In the early 20th century, San Francisco flooded the Hetch Hetchy Valley, destroying "one of nature's rarest and most precious mountain temples." This is why the city can now ban new natural gas. [63] The city justified this as a temporary measure, but no attempt to follow through with completing the municipal grid was ever made. Looking up at Wapama Falls from the footbridge on the hiking trail. [6][7], Upstream from the valley lies the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, while the smaller Poopenaut Valley is directly downstream from O'Shaughnessy Dam. In continuance, water has a personality and the presence of it can change moods and help people feel better. 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. 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. As of October 2022, Hetch Hetchy was at 77.5% of its capacity. Even a short stroll from the car gives a magnificent view of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir from the OShaughnessy Dam. [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. Other trails also continue to Lake Vernon. 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. Formerly called Buck Meadows Restaurant and Bar, the new caf crosses rustic-mountain flair with roadside cafe friendliness. Prominent sponsors of the dam proposal, particularly (by then former) Mayor James Phelan and city engineer Marsdon Manson (and later his successor, Michael OShaughnessy), quietly lobbied key figures in the government, trusting that the appeal of municipal water and power would easily win supporters amid the prevailing progressive political climate. In an effort to build this support, he published his bookThe Yosemitein 1912. Some of these studies determined that the idea of draining the reservoir was technically feasible but incredibly costly. Before they could break ground at the OShaughnessy Dam, more infrastructure was required. The trail continues to climb for 1.8 miles (2.8 km) above the trail intersection, but you can turn around any time. Her poetic descriptions of Hetch hetchy won her the attention of powerful members of Congress. At SPUR, we have done a lot of work on climate change adaptation. To visit the waterfalls or Yosemites northern backcountry, you walk across OShaughnessy Dam. The new. Divide the class into four small groups. [84] Karin Klein has described Yosemite Valley as "so crammed that it looks more like a ripstop ghetto than the site of a nature experience. Since the valley was within Yosemite National Park, an act of Congress was needed to authorize the project. 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. The deciding factor was whether or not the land in question had access to water. San Francisco assumed from the outset that there would not be significant opposition to using the Hetch Hetchy Valley, even if it was in a national park, for the high and noble purpose of providing water to one of the nations great and growing metropolises, so their efforts in Washington, DC, were conducted discreetly. 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. Building the Dam. Rounding the corner and catching the first glimpses of Hetch Hetchy Valley reveals the play of light on water. while birds, bees, and butterflies help the river and waterfalls to stir all the air into music. The main power facility in the system, the Moccasin Powerhouse, began commercial operation on August 14, 1925.