Rick lehman, whose district then embraced hetch hetchy, steered legislation through congress prohibiting the construction of any more dams in yosemite or other national parks. The senate, however, debated the measure extensively before passing the legislation on december 6, 19. 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. Despite muirs appeal to president roosevelt to save hetch hetchy, pinchots view eventually prevailed. But restore hetch hetchy is campaigning to tear down the dam, drain the. Hetch hetchy reservoir california fishing, camping, boating.
Hetch hetchy politicspreservationist, provincial, personal. City hall of sonoma at the centre of sonoma plaza, california, usa. The group restore hetch hetchy, the sierra club and other supporters of draining the reservoir say most of its 360,000 acrefeet of water storage can be. Yosemite national parks hetch hetchy valley was filled with water from the. An environmental artist with the skills of a mountain climber painted a giant crack down the face of hetch.
In 19, president woodrow wilson signed the bill approving the dam into law. The 38mile drive from the valley can be covered easily in 2 hours. Hetch hetchy reservoir and oshaughnessy dam youtube. Hetch hechy reservoir to sierra crest backpacking loop is a 88. Hetch hetchy is the name of a valley, a reservoir and a water system in california in the united states. That snow melts into the tuolumne river, and three smaller creeks that empty into the hetch hetchy reservoir. The visual effect suggested that the dam had cracked.
It was really a work of artit wasnt just graffiti, said dean coffey, general manager with the hetch hetchy water and power district, which provides water to san francisco and. Aug 25, 2017 between 1908 and 19, congress debated whether to make a water resource available or preserve a wilderness when the growing city of san francisco, california proposed building a dam in the hetch hetchy valley to provide a steady water supply. But hetch hetchy reservoir remains as a scar upon yosemite and our national park system. Channeling john muir in hetch hetchy national geographic. California hetch hetchy restoration a heated topic at.
How did the hetch hetchy project impact native americans. Why hetch hetchy is staying under water under water high. The court of appeal affirmed the trial courts judgment sustaining respondents demurrer in an action seeking a writ of mandate to declare the hetch hetchy reservoir and oshaughnessy dam unreasonable methods of diverting water under article x, section 2 of the california constitution. The reservoir is can be reached by way of california highway 120, taking evergreen road one mile west of the big oak flat entrance station, then the hetch hetchy road, following it 16 miles to the end at the parking lot above oshaughnessy dam. Fremont tunnel latest in hetch hetchy water system. 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. A cluster of ramshackle cabins built for the hetch hetchy dam workers in 1920, it is now a woodsychic cottage resort with a tavern, restaurant, and saltwater swimming pool. But hetch hetchys greatest charm may be what it lacks. Hetch hetchy waters epic journey, from mountains to tap. But its also a part of yosemite national park and some people are pushing for. Visitors explore the shoreline of hetch hetchy reservoir in yosemite national park, california, on thurs. Note that over the last 25 years other california urban agencies have developed more than 1,000,000 acrefeet of dry year supplymore than 18 times the amount of water required to restore hetch hetchy valleythrough a combination of surface storage, groundwater storage, water purchases and water recycling programs. Hetch hetchy before and after photos hetch hetchy valley early 1911 photos. Hetch hetchy is located off highway 120, and it takes about 30 minutes to drive from the highway to where you will be parking.
The location of hechhechi, miwok village in the western portion of the valley, was recorded by kroeber 1925. Lake eleanor and cherry reservoir, which the sfpuc now uses for hydropower. This quick hike takes you to a viewpoint overlooking hetch hetchy valley. Jun 28, 2011 this is hetch hetchy reservoir and oshaughnessy dam in california. Climbers seldom venture here, opting instead for the mecca that is yosemite valley. After a hike, a microbrew might hit the spot, so drive nine miles from the trail to evergreen lodge. A list of webcams in the region of hetch hetchy junction, ordered by distance 2962183.
Water managers drop the ball on hetch hetchy california. Rock climbing in hetch hetchy, yosemite national park. A brief description of the hetch hetchy area, with natural and cultural history, and additional hiking information, is available 1. Observers who saw the hetch hetchy valley in its original state thought it resembled a smaller mirror image of yosemite valley, but after an act of congress in 19, the dam was built and the valley disappeared. The unfortunate story of the clearcutting, damming and flooding of hetch hetchy valley has been told many times in books and film. Because of its lower elevation, hetch hetchy has the parks longest hiking season in the area. Repairs underway on stormdamaged dam san francisco, ca part of the hetch hetchy system, moccasin dam, built in 1929, was drained after a damaging storm in march. Groups pushing for more public access to hetch hetchy. Calvin california value integrated network, the computer model used to evaluate alternatives to oshaughnessy dam, is. According to john muir, the hetch hetchy valley was once every bit as beautiful as neighboring yosemite valley to the southeast. Hetch hetchy reservoir yosemite national park 2020 all. Restore hetch hetchys view is that lost hydropower should be replaced with renewable power, probably solar.
Why hetch hetchy is staying under water under water. The road to hetch hetchy is closed from october to june. Hetch hetchy reservoir, california topographic map and nearby trails. This manmade body of water located within the yosemite national park boundaries provides 80 percent of the water for the 2. Hetch hetchy reservoir is considered san franciscos main water supply and the city is very protective of it. During the construction of the dam, the hetch hetchy railroad carried 400 tons of cement each day to the site. Jun 12, 2014 the dam is considered as one of the water sources in the country of california and this is one of the reasons why most people within the place want to preserve all the natural resources that can be found at hetch hetchy dam. The san francisco public utilities commission owns and operates hetch hetchy power, which represents some of the cleanest energy available in california.
Klamath dams and hetch hetchy restoration restore hetch hetchy. When president woodrow wilson signed the raker act on december 19, 19, he permitted. Its been replaced by a giant tub, complete with bathtub ring, and the steep walls make it inaccessible except for the single trail. An hours drive from groveland via highway 120 and evergreen road, hetch hetchys rugged cliffs frame an eightmilelong reservoir that supplies san franciscos water. Hetch hetchy map hetch hetchy aqueduct and reservoir. The mission of restore hetch hetchy is to restore the hetch hetchy valley in yosemite national park to its natural splendor while continuing to meet the water and power needs of all communities that depend on the tuolumne river. Dam safety program san francisco public utilities commission. The battle over hetch hetchy reservoir in judges hands. For thousands of years before the arrival of settlers from the united states in the 1850s, the valley was inhabited. Water supply implications of removing oshaughnessy dam. The experiment on hetch hetchy will provide guidance on whether the shade ball approach can be effective for california s extensive reservoir system. Repairs underway on stormdamaged dam san francisco, ca. There is a goodsized parking lot at the base, but this area is never that busy, so you can usually find parking. Lawsuit seeking to reclaim hetch hetchy valley from sfpuc.
Day hikes in hetch hetchy yosemite national park u. Hidden in yosemite national parks peaceful northwest corner, hetch hetchy valley is a treasure worth visiting in all seasons. This trail takes you to the base of wapama falls, passing two smaller waterfalls during. May 29, 2018 the hetch hetchy controversy is a nice parable for how california s water system and problems keep changing, said jay lund, director for the uc davis center for watershed sciences, as. In 1908, san francisco voters approved building a dam at hetch hetchy. The hetch hetchy regional water system collects surface runoff from rivers and creeks in three major watersheds that is stored in reservoirs that are created by dams, both large and small, for municipal water supply and hydropower generation. Best hotels near hetch hetchy reservoir, yosemite national. Friends compared letters, which all gave the same account and the same advice. Nulls graduate adviser, jay lund, a leading california water scholar and an 18year. The lawsuit, filed in april last year, argued that the citys operation of the hetch hetchy reservoir violates the california constitutions requirement that state water resources be used in a. Jun 18, 2019 introduced by congressman john raker dca, h. Crack in hetch hetchy dam supertopo rock climbing discussion. Restoration of hetch hetchy valley and san franciscos. It is both a wellargued history and a beautifullywritten testimony of hubris and loss, even possible redemption.
The petition filed by restore hetch hetchy in tuolumne county superior court on april 21 seeks to challenge the existence of the dam and the reservoir by saying they violate california s state. The ghosts of hetchhetchy by gene rose damming hetch hetchy by john muir, unpublished journal entry, c. But tearing down oshaughnessy dam in order to restore hetch hetchy valley would be a disaster. The trial court concluded that petitioners claims were preempted by the raker act, federal legislation. In 19, after more than a decade of debate, congress passed the raker act approving the dam. The first phase of construction on the oshaughnessy dam named for the chief engineer was completed in 1923 and the final phase, raising the height of the dam, was completed in 1938. The name of the village was apparently derived from the central miwok word hetchetci, a name for a grass growing in hetch hetchy valley from which a mush was made barrett and gifford 1933.
However, the renowned conservationist ultimately lost his struggle to save the slightly smaller hetch hetchy valley from development and, in 1923, the oshaughnessy dam. Oshaughnessy dam is a 430foot 1 m high concrete archgravity dam in tuolumne county, california, in the united states. Many hiking trails begin from oshaughnessy dam and some of hetch hetchys most beautiful features are easily seen from the top of the dam. Since water is one of the basic needs of most people, the dam plays a vital role in all the residence as well as with the.
The ghosts of hetch hetchy, by gene rose, part of restore hetch hetchy, by the sierra club hetch. View route map, weather, streetviews, images, slideshows, videos and more for this cycling route to the top of hetch hetchy dam climb, ca, usa. This paper begins with a brief overview of hetch hetchy valley, the hetch hetchy system, and potential oshaughnessy dam removal decisions. At the hetch hetchy reservoir, you can walk across the dam and learn more about areas history from the interpretive signs. From the road, you can see the reservoir and along the reservoir are three hiking trails. For thousands of years before the arrival of settlers from the united states in the 1850s, the valley was inhabited by native americans who practiced subsistence. Due to its highaltitude location at 3,900 feet above sea level and its snowmeltfed water supply, water from hetch hetchy reservoir behind oshaughnessy dam does not require filtration. Usgs current conditions for usgs 11275500 hetch hetchy res a. This drive is full of beautiful views though, as you head down the twolane road into the canyon itself. The dam and reservoir are the source for the hetch hetchy aqueduct, which provides water. Oshaughnessy dam, completed in 1923, holds back 340,000 acre feet of water on the tuolumne river to form hetch hetchy reservoir. San francisco area residents rely on the dam for water. Figure 1, below, shows that recent and proposed changes in hydropower generation are very small compared other recent changes in electricity production in california. Hetch hetchy valley groveland united states california.
But in 19, united states allowed, for the only time in our history, a single city to appropriate one of our national parks for its own exclusive use. Hetch hetchy reservoir protected, for now sf weekly. When yosemite national park was created in 1890, hetch hetchy valley was to be protected in perpetuity. Among the water supplies drying up after california s drought conditions is the hetch hetchy reservoir. The case is winding through california courts, and if restore hetch. Hotels near hetch hetchy reservoir, yosemite national park on tripadvisor. Hetch hetchy environmental debates national archives. Frobish is an occasional contributor to the california waterblog and director of life enrichment for the uc davis center for watershed sciences.
Oshaughnessy dam was completed in 1923 and on october 24, 1934, water from the hetch hetchy project finally began pouring into san francisco. The hetch hetchy reservoir in yosemite delivers water to 2. Lawsuit to drain hetch hetchy reservoir goes back to court. Currently numbers of environmental groups have proposals targeting the removal of this dam, the biggest deterrent would be cost of the project. Hetch hetchy reservoir is accessed from sr 120, just w. Webcams in the region of hetch hetchy junction, california. The glacial hetch hetchy valley lies in the northwestern part of yosemite national park and is drained by the tuolumne river. An environmental artist with the skills of a mountain climber painted a giant crack down the face of hetch hetchy reservoir dam, park officials said monday. Hetch hetchys hh turnoff is about a mile from the highway 120 gate and about 10 miles in. Mar 12, 2020 an environmental artist with the skills of a mountain climber painted a giant crack down the face of hetch hetchy reservoir dam, park officials said monday. Hetch hetchy was once magnificent, unspoiled wild land. Years of disuse have also led to cracks in the concrete aqueduct and the.
The hetch hetchy valley was within yosemite national park and protected by the federal government, leaving it up to congress to decide the valleys. A paved road leads 7 miles from mather to the 312foot dam, which impounds san franciscos water supply. Hetch hetchy reservoir and water system water education. A map and guide to hetch hetchy reservoir at yosemite. The morning of november 6, 2012, dawned with high hopes among the band of preservationists hoping to restore the hetch hetchy valley in yosemite national park. Looking up hetchhetchy valley from surprise point, 1908 by isaiah west taber, taber photo, san francisco an outstanding panorama as published in sierra club bulletin, vol. Usgs current conditions for usgs 11275500 hetch hetchy. Its aqueous blue depth is held back by oshaughnessy dam, a 1920s. Today, the reservoir and dam dominate the character of hetchy hetchy valley. Excellent summary of the hetch hetchy battle of 190119 and what it means today.
Hetch hetchy, the dam, the water, the powerto san francisco. Aug 29, 2017 hetch hetchy, the dam, the water, the powerto san francisco, ca. Nonetheless, hetch hetchy is well worth a visit by you, your partner and your gear if you are looking for something different. Jul 22, 2010 restore hetch hetchy, as its name suggests, aims to return that valley to its natural state by demolishing the dam and releasing the billions of gallons of water that lie behind it. Owned by the city of san francisco, hetch hetchy reservoir provides water to 2. All the info difficulty, distance, altitude gained, elevation, average grade youll need to climb hetch hetchy dam climb by bike. The systems pipelines run about 167 miles long, from the hetch hetchy reservoir in yosemite national park to the. Hetch hetchy politicspreservationist, provincial, personal, and perhaps postpartisanin the 2000s by rick heide author, editor. With hetch hetchy low, 2 reservoirs nearby are being readied to fill needs.
Once again, hetch hetchy was on the tongues of the american people. The hetch hetchy controversy is a nice parable for how californias water system and problems keep changing, said jay lund, director for the uc davis center for watershed sciences, as. You can walk on several trails, ranging from two to miles long. The hetch hetchy reservoir, while providing water to millions of people in the san francisco bay area, also provides visitors with access to spectacular beauty and the wilderness of yosemite national park. Driving to hetch hetchy reservoir, oshaughnessy dam. California hetch hetchy restoration a heated topic at hearing most agree dam could be torn down but should it. From left to right, suzanne gautier, annie li, alex kornblum and heath kornblum, stand in front of a map of the hetch hetchy system at the harry tracy water treatment plant in san bruno, california. For over 100 years this systemwhich utilizes the gravity flow of the citys water from source to taphas operated without producing any carbon emissions nor any radioactive byproducts. The battle over hetch hetchy is something beyond merely the best book anyone has ever written on confluence of canyon, dam, and city that so shaped the story of the modern american west. As described by robert redford, hetch hetchy s damming turned into the defining struggle of the conservation movement. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from may until november. In 1924 the hetch hetchy railroad ceased operations as a common carrier. The dam at hetch hetchy remains as the greatest blemish in any of our national parks, the group states on its website, citing an old john muir quote that hetch hetchy valley was one of natures rarest and most precious mountain temples. This november, a group of environmental advocates will put forth a ballot measure that would require the san francisco public utilities commission to develop a plan to drain hetch hetchy.
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