In 1987, President Reagans Secretary of the Interior, Donald Hodel, proposed that Hetch Hetchy be restored. The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir also serves to provide energy in the form of hydroelectricity, with a capacity of over 200 megawatts a year. Photo: Chris Migeon. "[81] Hodel, now retired, is still[when?] 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? Activity 1: Analysis. 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. San Francisco applied once again for rights to Hetch Hetchy in 1908. Environment Quiz 1 Chapters 1-3 Flashcards | Quizlet 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. As the Hetch Hetchy Valley was part of Yosemite National Park, Hitchcock preferred to protect the parks natural wonders. 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. [82] Dianne Feinstein opposed this allocation, saying, "I will do all I can to make sure it isn't included in the final bill. The O'Shaughnessy Dam is near Yosemite's western boundary, but the long, narrow, fingerlike reservoir stretches eastward for about 8 miles (13 km). [21][33] Albert Bierstadt, Charles Dorman Robinson and William Keith were known for their landscapes that drew tourists to the Hetch Hetchy Valley. 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. Consider one project in progress that involves re-routing an entire river . Hetch Hetchy's restoration, after all, will benefit national . 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. [31], During this time, the upper Tuolumne River, including Hetch Hetchy Valley, was visited by prospectors attracted by the California Gold Rush. In November 2012, San Francisco voters soundly rejected Proposition F,[86] which would have required the city to conduct an $8 million study on how the flooded valley could be drained and restored to its former state. Franklin Lane served as the attorney for the city of San Francisco in 1903. Hetch Hetchy: Time to Redeem a Historic Mistake - Sierra Club [54] The entire system produces about 1.7 billion kilowatt hours per year, enough to meet 20% of San Francisco's electricity needs. Muir predicted that this lake would create an unsightly "bathtub ring" around its perimeter, caused by the water's destruction of lichen growth on the canyon walls,[44] which would inevitably be visible at low lake levels. As Muir famously protested: Dam Hetch Hetchy? Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, encompassing 2,000 acres of federal park land, has clearly been maintained for the benefit of San Francisco with minimal consideration of the wider public whose tax dollarsand, in the case of visitors, entrance feessupport the national park. "Dam Hetch Hetchy!" - I Take History The surface of the water hides an additional 300 feet of granite cliffs and once-upon-a-time waterfalls within its depths. It would be almost impossible to build a new dam there today. It is part of our More than Just Parks Environmental Heroes series. Yes, the plan to drain Hetch Hetchy involves causing new ecological damage. Watershed Worker (Summer, 2023) - Hetch Hetchy Water & Power (Moccasin) - SFPUC (7542) Job at City and County of San Francisco in Moccasin. It forced elected representatives to consider what a national park designation truly meant and whether or not the land within these parks deserved protection. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It was the second tallest dam in the U.S. at the time. Divide the class into four small groups. You can expect one (short) email per month. [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). Worth a Dam? - Earth Island Journal Show More. Impounded by O'Shaughnessy Dam, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir water passes through hydroelectric powerhouses before it enters the San Joaquin Pipelines, the Tesla Ultraviolet Treatment Facility, and the Coast Range Tunnel on its journey to the Bay Area. John Muir knew that without public support, the Hetch Hetchy Valley would be lost. 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. Photo: Herbert W. Gleason courtesy of the Sierra Club. [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. 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. 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. Upcountry and the Bay Area. Annie Li, a senior engineer at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, points to the yellow and brown squiggly lines on the map, revealing our water's path from Hetch Hetchy to the Bay Area. To get the electricity they would need, they first built a smaller dam at Lake Eleanor. [37][38] However, ranchers who had previously owned land in the new park continued their use of Hetch Hetchy Valley a "sheep-grazing free-for-all [that] threatened to denude the High Sierra meadows"[37] before disputes over state and private properties in respect to national park boundaries were finally settled in the early 1900s. They poured an estimated total of more than 398,000 cubic yards (304,000 cubic meters) of concrete to form the dam. The Poopenaut Trail begins at a signed trailhead four miles past the entrance station. People have died after being swept off the bridge and onto the rocks below. [24] It is likely that the edible grass was blue dicks. The Hetch Hetchy Road drops into the valley at the dam, but all points east of there are roadless, and accessible only to hikers and equestrians. 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. Dam the Hetch Hetchy! National opinion divided between giving San Francisco the right to dam the valley and preserving the valley from development. In 1967 the Robert C. Kirkwood Powerhouse started commercial operation followed by a New Moccasin Powerhouse in 1969 when the Old Moccasin Powerhouse was taken out of service. Loss of the reservoir would decrease the Bay Areas water and energy security, requiring new water storage (possibly in reservoirs not owned by San Francisco) and the development of new water and energy supplies. 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. OShaughnessy Dam and the waterworks that connect it to the Bay Area are a marvel of engineering. A bigger population will increase demand, meanwhile climate change could significantly reduce supply through drought and hydrological cycle changes. Your email address will not be published. Its a a wonderful place to see spring waterfalls and wildflower displays. 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 68mi (109km) Hetch Hetchy Railroad was constructed to link the Sierra Railway with Hetch Hetchy Valley, allowing for direct rail shipment of construction materials from San Francisco to the dam site. The report cited other dam projects in making the argument that this project would increase tourism. To visit the waterfalls or Yosemites northern backcountry, you walk across OShaughnessy Dam. Related. [4] A broad, low rocky outcrop situated between Kolana Rock and Hetch Hetchy Dome divided the former meadow in two distinct sections. Hetch Hetchy doesn't require permit, you need just regular National park pass. Let us introduce you to some of the unique giant sequoia groves in the Yosemite Mariposa County area the Merced, Tuolumne, and Mariposa Groves are inside Yosemite National Park, and the Nelder Grove is just outside the park boundary to the south. Dam shame / It's time that San Francisco let go of Hetch Hetchy - SFGATE For your last day, enjoy a short hike on the shores of the beautiful Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Guests at these suites receive breakfast on their patios. In the autumn of 1871, John Muir visited Hetch Hetchy for the first time. As well dam for water tanks the peoples cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man.'. He wrote, I have always called it the Tuolumne Yosemite, for it is a wonderfully exact counterpart of the great Yosemite, not only in its crystal river and sublime rocks and waterfalls, but in the gardens, groves, and meadows of its flowery park-like floor. 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. San Francisco had its eyes on this water source early on and repeatedly tried to acquire water rights to the Tuolumne River. And it is the largest single source of water supply for the Bay Area. [40] The city would repeatedly try to acquire water rights to Hetch Hetchy, including in 1901, 1903 and 1905, but was continually rebuffed because of conflicts with irrigation districts that had senior water rights on the Tuolumne River, and because of the valley's national park status. This reservoir on the Sacramento River has been planned for decades Download the official NPS app before your next visit. It is definitely worth to visit Hetch Hetchy area especially in 2021 when main Yosemite area requires booking permits in advance. 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 ________. Since the valley was within Yosemite National Park, an act of Congress was needed to authorize the project. [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. [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. Hetch Hetchy Valley is a treasure worth visiting. Hidden in Yosemite National Parks peaceful northwest corner, Hetch Hetchy Valley is a treasure worth visiting in all seasons. Hetch Hetchy and many others were built by . "[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. Indeed, the battle over Hetch Hetchy may have been a little-known contributor to the permanent alignment of American politics it was the tension between Ballinger and Pinchot that set in motion the events that lead to the split mentioned above. And, as you might imagine, it produces some of the cleanest municipal water in the United States. An adjacent building contains another five suites with vaulted ceilings, forest views and soaking tubs. Earn $27.3125 per hour. Forests might provide for the material well-being of human beings, but they did not exist for this reason alone. Hetch Hetchy, unlike other water storage facilities in California, is relatively buffered from near-term climate change because of its high elevation. [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. Teams completed the OShaughnessy Dam in 1923 and the reservoir filled for the first time in May of that year. List what negative externalities are associated with the construction On a national stage, Hetch Hetchy became caught in the cross fire between the interests of private utilities ownership and those of municipal ownership. Should natural resources be used to serve the greatest good for the greatest number? Public disapproval nationwide with the Raker Act helped to bring about the creation of the National Park Service. The most prominent preservationist spokesman was John Muir.. Hetch Hetchy Water's Epic Journey, From Mountains to Tap The battle for Hetch Hetchy wasnt just conservationists vs preservationists. 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. Over the last 35 years, the idea has been studied by the Environmental Defense Fund, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, UC Davis, and several state agencies. Hetch Hetchy is the incredible story of Americas most controversial dam and the birth of the environmental movement. What part should mountains, rivers, natural meadows or wild creatures play in American life? History - Hetch Hetchy - Sierra Club Now San Francisco wanted to dam one of the two principal watersheds in the park, the Hetch Hetchy valley through which ran the Tuolumne River, to create a reservoir for its water supply. The privately owned Spring Valley Water Company had required its customers to pay exorbitant rates for years. Hetch Hetchy water travels 160 miles via gravity from . As of 2013, the water storage and hydroelectric power supplied by the Hetch Hetchy Project serviced an estimated 2.6 million people in the San Francisco Bay Area. 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. ", "Fall in the Main Tuolumne River at the Head of Hetch Hetchy Valley", "Fly Fishing Poopenaut Valley Tuolumne River", "Screech Brothers Find Hetch Hetchy Valley", "Big Oak Flat (No. 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. Friday, enjoy an evening about bats starting at 7 pm. The dam in the Hetch Hetchy valley of Yosemite National Park, first proposed in 1908, was intended to create a reservoir that would provide water and electricity for the burgeoning city of San Francisco. John Muir, the first president of the Sierra Club, condemned plans to build the dam, saying, "Dam Hetch Hetchy! [40] By the 1880s, San Francisco was looking to Hetch Hetchy water as a fix for its outdated and unreliable water system. Photo: Chris Migeon Hiking Hetch Hetchy: the unknown Yosemite National Park - 2TravelDads While John Muir led the fight against building the dam, the opposition was supported by Gifford Pinchot. On December 19, 1913, Congress passed and President Wilson signed the Raker Act which permitted the building of the OShaughnessy Dam and the flooding of the Hetch Hethcy Valley in Yosemite National Park. 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. View of the OShaughnessy Dam and the Hetchy Hetchy Road and parking. The restoration of Hetch Hetchy would be a simple task compared to some dam removal efforts. 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. San Francisco Can Ban New Natural Gas Because It Destroyed The Hetch [75] The remaining deficit would likely have to be replaced by polluting fossil fuel generation. Gravel, logs, and other important food and habitat features can become trapped. Plus, the granite walls converge into a narrow outlet at the bottom of the valley the perfect location for a dam. Sign up for helpful guides, beautiful videos, and insider tips on the national parks. Muir and other defenders of Hetch Hetchy believe the fight revolved around two central issues. The network goes from the Sierra Nevada mountains, across the Central Valley and out to the coast, and serves 2.5 million Californians in 30 cities across four counties. [3] Kolana Rock, at 5,772ft (1,759m), is a massive rock spire on the south side of the Hetch Hetchy Valley. Hetch Hetchy Valley was once home to a richly diverse ecosystem, surrounded by towering cliffs and waterfalls similar to those in neighboring Yosemite Valley. It pitted a powerful city against a dedicated group of conservationists. They also remove water needed for healthy in-stream ecosystems. The Valley Below | The Verge Hetch Hetchy Valley, Yosemite National Park, California The Greatest [59] The water quality is high because of the unique geology of the upper Tuolumne River drainage basin, which consists mostly of bare granite; as a result, the rivers feeding Hetch Hetchy Reservoir have extremely low loads of sediments and nutrients. Would that be an improvement? 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. The National Park Service concluded that two years after draining the valley, grasses would cover most of its floor and within 10 years, clumps of cone-bearing trees and some oaks would take root. The law authorizing the dam passed Congress on December 7, 1913. At SPUR, we have done a lot of work on climate change adaptation. ", "Three Square Miles of Open Space: Is It Enough? There is a third concept, too, though it was little understood at the time. The new 68-mile (109 km) railroad wound its way up the narrow canyon of the Tuolumne River past sharp curves and up steep 4% grades. [20] They hunted, and gathered seeds and edible plants to furnish themselves winter food, trade items, and materials for art and ceremonial objects. Those who did visit it were enchanted by its scenery, but encountered difficulties with the primitive conditions and, in summertime, swarms of mosquitoes. Topic: Hoover Dam - Water Education Foundation Hetch Hetchy and Ackerson Meadow: Wildflowers and Bats [46], Work on the Hetch Hetchy Project began in 1914. Winter storms fill Hetch Hetchy, renew debate about reservoir's future Consequences - Hetch Hetchy: The Valley of Broken Promises We're not going to remove this dam, and the funding is unnecessary. Looking up at Wapama Falls from the footbridge on the hiking trail. Hours: Year-round, but only accessible by car when the Hetch Hetchy Road is open. Use good judgment and stay safe. [2] There are four fundamental ways in which dams damage rivers. 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). 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. 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). Hetch Hetchy System - BAWSCA 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. Although there are relatively few visitors to Hetch Hetchy, youll find most of them along the trail to Wapama Fall. One route begins six miles beyond the entrance station. SF's Hetch Hetchy water system is almost full. Is that a good thing? The main power facility in the system, the Moccasin Powerhouse, began commercial operation on August 14, 1925. It involved the unintended consequences of efforts to shape the environment to meet human needs. Would there be any room in an acquisitive society for wildness, or for non material spiritual values?. Environmentalists lost what was the opening battle in a fight to preserve Americas natural wonders. Located at 3,900 feet, it boasts one of the longest hiking seasons in the park. [42] They claimed the valley was not unique and would be even more beautiful with a lake. He discovered it a few of years later. [53], As completed, O'Shaughnessy Dam is 910 feet (280m) long, spanning the valley at its narrow outlet. The openings in the Taft administration led to the eventual success of the Raker Act. You could then scuba ElCapitan down to the valley floor. 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. At the time, neither side understood the long-range consequences of human actions to manage the environment. Before damming, the high granite formations produced a valley with an average depth of 1,800ft (550m) and a maximum depth of over 3,000ft (910m); the length of the valley was 3mi (4.8km) with a width ranging from .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}18 to 12 mile (660 to 2,640ft; 200 to 800m).