While opponents of the dam were hard pressed for financial support, the city of San Franciscos campaign was well financed. 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. There is no Starbucks here no daily parade of tour buses and RVs. In contrast to the utilitarian view, the preservationist approach denied the assumption that the natural world existed solely to serve mans purposes. As a result, San Francisco secured a reliable and . Hetch Hetchy Dome, at 6,197ft (1,889m), lies directly north of it. Some hydro-power dams withhold and then release water to generate power for peak demand periods, which is particularly disruptive to migrating fish. It's a big job to open the tunnel and close it again. The reservoir supplies water for the city of San Francisco, so there is no recreational boating or swimming allowed. 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. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir - O'Shaugnessy Dam - National Park Service . [70] Hodel called for a study of the effect of tearing down the dam. [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. This trail is 13 miles round-trip with 3,700 feet elevation gain. The pressure that Muir and his compatriots generated in 1908 and 1909 did not dissuade the administration from its support of the Hetch Hetchy dam, but this pressure was quite effective in the realm of electoral politics. 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. As well dam for water-tanks the peoples cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man.. 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. For all the similarities between Hetch Hetchy Valley and Yosemite Valley, there is one enormous difference the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. Indeed, Hetch Hetchy today[when?] We would be trading flooded acres in one place for flooded acres in another. List what negative externalities are associated with the construction 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. Above all, one's behavior Argument Against The Hetchy Dam 587 Words | 3 Pages Plus, the granite walls converge into a narrow outlet at the bottom of the valley the perfect location for a dam. The water winds between granite features like Kolana Rock and Hetch Hetchy Dome. Restore Yosemite? It can be done. - Los Angeles Times [2] Fourth, dams alter water quality. 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. 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. There is plenty to see and do right here, from kayaking on the water to climbing the magnificent domes above. This valley was isolated and remote, twenty miles northwest of the original. Looking up at Wapama Falls from the footbridge on the hiking trail. The entire valley is now flooded under an average 300ft (91m) of water behind the dam, although it occasionally reemerges in droughts, as it did in 1955, 1977, and 1991. Have you been to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite? The dam and reservoir are the source for the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct, which provides water for over . Would there be any room in an acquisitive society for wildness, or for non material spiritual values?. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This is interesting from an ideological perspective. In some cases, however, including the Klamath and Hetch Hetchy, the benefits of restoration clearly outweigh the benefits provided by the dams. Off Deadline: Is 'Restore Hetch Hetchy' a pipe dream or a living vision Garfield was responding to critics who believed that the federal governments primary responsibility was to use the nations public resources for development in the service for the greatest number of people. [15] When the glacier retreated for the final time, sediment-laden meltwater deposited thick layers of silt, forming the flat alluvial floodplain of the valley floor. The OShaughnessy Dam was completed in 1938 and is 430-feet tall. In the northwest corner of Yosemite National Park you can find the Hetch Hetchy Valley. The openings in the Taft administration led to the eventual success of the Raker Act. Subsequent proposals for development in our national parks have been defeated by citizen activists inspired by calls to remember Hetch Hetchy. Hydroelectric power generated from the Hetch Hetchy project is largely sold to Bay Area customers through a private power company, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). It involved the unintended consequences of efforts to shape the environment to meet human needs. [54][55], After passing through the powerhouses, Hetch Hetchy water flows into the 167mi (269km) Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct which travels across the Central Valley. Glaciers followed these low-points, leaving their own marks in particular carving out the characteristic U-shaped valley with steep sides and wide floor. Hetch Hetchy Water's Epic Journey, From Mountains to Tap Only a tiny proportion of Yosemites visitors explore this out-of-the-way corner of the national park. They also remove water needed for healthy in-stream ecosystems. the Hetch Hetchy Dam (1910-13) Abstract The damming of Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite National Park is a watershed event in environmental history, a presumed travesty that brought anguish to John Muir and his many sup porters throughout the United States. 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. Hetch Hetchy ushered in a new era for the national parks. The Tuolumne River continues through Tuolumne Meadows and the associated park developments at an elevation of 8,600 feet. Without Hetch Hetchy as its primary reservoir, San Francisco will be forced to pump and filter its water for the first time in a century, and lose out on the 726 million kilowatt-hours produced by . To begin the trail, cross the dam and pass through the tunnel. Application Opening: February 10, 2023 Application Filing Deadline: March 3, 2023 Hourly Compensation: $27.3125 Recruitment ID: RTF0131751-01138303 (131752) APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Exempt: This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer. Should natural resources be used to serve the greatest good for the greatest number? For most of the year the waterfall offers a refreshing shower or cooling mist along with an amazing view. Secretary of the Interior, Ethan Allen Hitchcock, refused to give San Francisco a permit to build the dam. 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. DWRs meta-study found a range of costs from $3 billion to $10 billion for restoration and replacement of water and power sources. Should nature be left alone so that flora and fauna flourish while people enjoy its primal wonders? 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 falls roar in spring and early summer. Hetch Hetchy Valley: Battle To Restore, History & Recreation [8], Meadow plants unavailable in the lowlands were particularly valuable resources to these tribes. There have been lawsuits over whether San Francisco violated the agreements of the Raker Act. Bierstadts paintings and Muirs writings began to publicize the beauty of the Hetch Hetchy Valley. "[34], When Yosemite Valley became part of a state park in 1864, Hetch Hetchy received no such designation. Hiking in Yosemite National Park | AAA Ohio If youre especially in the mood to relax and let yourself be taken care of, The Blackberry Inn is a luxury bed and breakfast situated on 36 acres and surrounded by National Forest land. [54] The entire system produces about 1.7 billion kilowatt hours per year, enough to meet 20% of San Francisco's electricity needs. Yosemite Westgate Lodge offers newly-remodeled and well-appointed modern accommodation. [50] The project is operated by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The Tuolumne River originates in the peaks above Tuolumne Meadows and is the major drainage system for the northern part of Yosemite. It is the source of water for the city of San Francisco. A national debate ensued between the preservationist and conservationist factions of the young environmental movement. Winter weather conditions may cause road closures. Dianne Feinstein, the mayor of San Francisco at the time, said in a Los Angeles Times story in 1987: "All this is for an expanded campground? . The new. Hetch Hetchy Water & Power plans five-year $140M Mountain Tunnel Hetch Hetchy water serves residents in four Bay Area counties, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Southern Alameda. You can expect one (short) email per month. [71], The dam would not have to be completely removed; rather, it would only be necessary to cut a hole through the base in order to drain the water and restore natural flows of the Tuolumne River. But if you still have energy, continue past the bridge to Rancheria Falls. These clean and comfortable rooms also enjoy access to the pool, spa and other facilities at Yosemite Westgate Lodge. It then cascades on its westward descent through the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, and enters the eastern end of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Slow down and spend the day at Tenaya Lake a beautiful and easy-to-get-to alpine lake cupped by granite domes. 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. [8], While its cousin Yosemite Valley to the south had permanent Miwok settlements,[25] Hetch Hetchy was only seasonally inhabited. 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. [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. 2023 Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, Yosemite Itineraries: What to Do in Yosemite. Five country-chic rooms in the main building include en suite bathrooms, free WiFi and electric fireplaces. The report cited other dam projects in making the argument that this project would increase tourism. [24] It is likely that the edible grass was blue dicks. The question Pinchot always asked was, What is the greatest good for the greatest number?, He was famously quoted as saying, Where conflicting interests must be reconciled, the question shall always be answered from the standpoint of the greatest good of the greatest number in the long run., RELATED: Gifford Pinchot: A 2021 Lesson From Americas First Forester, In his congressional testimony, Pinchot argued in favor of building the dam. As the grazing of livestock damaged native plants in the Hetch Hetchy Valley, mountaineer and naturalist John Muir pressed for the protection of both valleys under a single national park. Photo: Kim Lawson. [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. The construction of the Hetch Hetchy Railroad took place from 1915 to 1918. So the idea of planning for new water supplies need not be on the ballot. While youre at it, plan to add to the historic flavor of this route with a stop the Northern Mariposa County History Center. It carried workers and materials for the dam, as well as tourists, postage and other amenities. Forests might provide for the material well-being of human beings, but they did not exist for this reason alone. GROVELAND,CA San Francisco may be required to pay more rent to the federal government for water from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir or even tear down the O'Shaughnessy Dam. Each switchback reveals scenic overlooks of the reservoir and Kolana Rock. The larger issues at stake would frame environmental debates for years to come. 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. In Yosemite National Park, the Hetch Hetchy reservoir relies on the annual snowmelt to stay full. Public disapproval nationwide with the Raker Act helped to bring about the creation of the National Park Service. Earn $27.3125 per hour. Youll just need to see them for yourself. Muir concludes his treatise on Hetch Hetchy with the now familiar words, "Dam Hetch Hetchy! Then, in 1906, a devastating earthquake caused a series of fires in San Francisco that destroyed 25,000 buildings across 490 city blocks. O'Shaughnessy Dam (California) - Wikipedia Second, the sanctity of the national parks which they believed should not be violated. [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. Let the dam at Hetch Hetchy stand - sfchronicle.com Hetch Hetchy is unique because of its small holding capacity in comparison to the vast watershed feeding it. The inadequacy of the citys existing water supply came into sharp focus. history. Building the Dam. The same features that make Hetch Hetchy Valley so spectacular also make it an ideal location for a dam. But during peak spring flow, the thundering waterfall can wash over the bridge making it dangerous to cross. Hiking Hetch Hetchy: the unknown Yosemite National Park - 2TravelDads What should be the fate of prairies, wetlands, or coastal marshes? Even in the summer when Yosemite Valley is being explored by visitors from around the world, Hetch Hetchy remains an oasis of relative calm. Specialty pricing may require . [45], The controversy over Hetch Hetchy was in the context of other political scandals and controversies, especially prevalent in the Taft administration. 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 distance, long white plumes of water cascade hundreds of feet down from rocky heights. The reservoir is fed by the Tuolumne River. [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. We have historic photographs to remind us of what Hetch Hetchy Valley looked like before the dam was built. Many are vital pieces of infrastructure that provide reliable water supplies, hydropower, flood control, and recreation. Shasta, Oroville, Hetch Hetchy and many others were built by damming large rivers. [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. 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. As in Yosemite, the sublime rocks of its walls seem to glow with life . 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 . Hetch Hetchy and many others were built by . 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). It pitted a powerful city against a dedicated group of conservationists. When youre standing at the shore overlooking what appears to be a lake, picture yourself looking down into a verdant valley filled with the tall native grasses that give the valley its name. So visit Hetch Hetchy. Two additional reservoirs in the Hetch Hetchy RegionLake Eleanor and Lake Lloyd (also But Hetch Hetchy, one of nature's perfect . 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. 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.. But what about when the lake dries? And in a larger sense, the waters of California served as the converting agents. . The surface of the water hides an additional 300 feet of granite cliffs and once-upon-a-time waterfalls within its depths. 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. And Hetch Hetchy's damming has inspired generations of conservationists to protect our natural heritage and to commit to safeguarding our protected areas. The other route begins at the entrance station and is 16 miles round-trip with 3,300 feet of elevation gain. The first is utilitarian conservation. You may take easy hike to Wapama falls ( around 6 miles) or even more challenging hike to Rancheria falls ( around 14 miles). Those who presumed to speak for wealth, much of which flowed to San Francisco, believed they were transforming a pioneer land into a settled, civilized one. Would that be an improvement? Muir and other defenders of Hetch Hetchy believe the fight revolved around two central issues. Spring snowmelt runs down the Tuolumne River and fills Hetch Hetchy, the largest reservoir in our water system. (Read SPURs analysis of this plan.) As a 13.4-mile (21.4 km) round-trip hike, Rancheria Falls gets fewer day-hikers than Wapama Falls but is a popular backpacking stop. [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 SFPUC and other Hetch Hetchy users are currently implementing plans to meet this demand through recycled water, groundwater and conservation. [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. Hetch-22 | Ethics: Climate Change - Galen Hiltbrand John Muir knew that without public support, the Hetch Hetchy Valley would be lost. For instance, the WET company helps people see the beauty of water through magnificent water fountains. Hours: Year-round, but only accessible by car when the Hetch Hetchy Road is open. 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). 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. 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. The Hetch Hetchy dam is upstream on the Tuolumne River from a reservoir nearly six times as large. 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. This reservoir on the Sacramento River has been planned for decades There are many places to stop and enjoy views of the rushing water before turning around to return to your car. Photo: Herbert W. Gleason courtesy of the Sierra Club. What Happens When You Remove a Dam? - Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Sign up for helpful guides, beautiful videos, and insider tips on the national parks. The reservoir provides water to a large portion of the Bay Area through a 160 mile delivery. Even if we could obtain the several billion dollars necessary to carry out this endeavor (neither private nor public sources have yet been identified) some of the tasks involved may not even be possible. 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. Although there are relatively few visitors to Hetch Hetchy, youll find most of them along the trail to Wapama Fall. Including additions made between 1934 and 1938, the dam currently stands 430 feet (131 m) above the bedrock below. Hetch Hetchy | Hetch Hetchy Dam & Reservoir History | Yosemite.com RELATED: Meet The Real Life Batman & Robin Of The National Parks. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. . 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.. A Trip to Hetch Hetchy and the O'Shaughnessy Dam The main problem with the measure is that in spite of appearing to be about studying best options or planning for future water supplies, it has pre-determined the solution: draining Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (Yosemite National Park) - Tripadvisor 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). [42] This provoked a seven-year environmental struggle with the environmental group Sierra Club, led by John Muir. Teams completed the OShaughnessy Dam in 1923 and the reservoir filled for the first time in May of that year. ", "Three Square Miles of Open Space: Is It Enough? Watershed Worker (Summer, 2023) - Hetch Hetchy Water & Power (Moccasin The deciding factor was whether or not the land in question had access to water.