[12] During the last glacial period, the Tioga Glacier[13] formed from extensive icefields in the upper Tuolumne River watershed; between 110,000 and 10,000 years ago Hetch Hetchy Valley was sculpted into its present shape by repeated advance and retreat of the ice, which also removed extensive talus deposits that may have accumulated in the valley since the Sherwin period. And Hetch Hetchy's damming has inspired generations of conservationists to protect our natural heritage and to commit to safeguarding our protected areas. The privately owned Spring Valley Water Company had required its customers to pay exorbitant rates for years. For most of the year the waterfall offers a refreshing shower or cooling mist along with an amazing view. Hetch Hetchy, located at 3,900 feet in Yosemite National Park, is one of the park's most popular hiking . Just before reaching the Bay Area, it passes through the Irvington tunnel near the city of Fremont, and the aqueduct splits into four pipelines at 373253N 1215555W / 37.548104N 121.932041W / 37.548104; -121.932041. In the autumn of 1871, John Muir visited Hetch Hetchy for the first time. Hetch Hetchy is the incredible story of Americas most controversial dam and the birth of the environmental movement. But what about when the lake dries? As the battle lines were drawn, the different methods employed by each side in presenting their case spoke to some of their basic assumptions about the nature of the issue. View of the OShaughnessy Dam and the Hetchy Hetchy Road and parking. [49], The narrow defile at the lower end of Hetch Hetchy Valley where San Francisco planned to dam the Tuolumne River, seen in 1914 before construction began, The same area seen today, with O'Shaughnessy Dam and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Hetch Hetchy Valley serves as the primary water source for the City and County of San Francisco and several surrounding municipalities in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. As Muir famously protested: Dam Hetch Hetchy? Spring snowmelt runs down the Tuolumne River and fills Hetch Hetchy, the largest reservoir in our water system. DWR also found that the planning studies necessary to refine the costs and benefits of restoration would cost $65 million alone. 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. The first people, outside of Native Americans, to see the Hetch Hetchy Valley were Joseph, Nate and William Screechin 1850. Dam the Hetch Hetchy! It is the primary water source for about 2.5 million residents of the San Francisco Bay Area. In spite of Muirs eloquent and heated objections, the Raker Act was signed into law in December of 1913. The Hetch Hetchy Valley is a part of Yosemite National Park. The watershed is also strictly protected, so swimming and boating are prohibited at the reservoir (although fishing is permitted at the reservoir and in the rivers which feed it),[60] a measure which is considered unusual for US lakes outside the region. 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. As a consequence, visitors came to experience it for themselves. [54][55], After passing through the powerhouses, Hetch Hetchy water flows into the 167mi (269km) Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct which travels across the Central Valley. 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. . Congress, confronted with rising public opposition, refused to act on the measure. Congress would decide the fate of the Hetchy Hetchy Valley. Subsequent proposals for development in our national parks have been defeated by citizen activists inspired by calls to remember Hetch Hetchy. It carried workers and materials for the dam, as well as tourists, postage and other amenities. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area youll pass right through Buck Meadows on Highway 120. The Poopenaut Trail begins at a signed trailhead four miles past the entrance station. 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. The city must pay a lease of $30,000 per year for the use of Hetch Hetchy, which sits on federal land. Pipelines 1 and 2 cross the San Francisco Bay to the south of the Dumbarton Bridge, while pipelines 3 and 4 run to the south of the bay. Like Muir, she felt the beauty of the valley was a national treasure which ought to be preserved. Apply Today! The regional water system provides water to 2.4 million people in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Alameda and San Mateo counties. [57] Pipelines 3 and 4 end at the Pulgas Water Temple, a small park that contains classical architectural elements which celebrate the water delivery. The valley provided an escape from the summer heat of the lowlands. Many examples of red-barked manzanita can be seen along the Hetch Hetchy Road. . . [24] It is likely that the edible grass was blue dicks. 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. If the dam were not to be built, it would only benefit the small percentage of Americans who actually visited the site and were concerned about the park's pristine condition. 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. [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. San Francisco applied once again for rights to Hetch Hetchy in 1908. remains the least visited area of the park. Residents drink it in 26 cities and water districts from San. Photo: Herbert W. Gleason courtesy of the Sierra Club. 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). 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. It is the source of water for the city of San Francisco. By 1908, a different Interior Secretary, James R. Garfield, sided with the utilitarian conservationists and issued a permit for the Hetch Hetchy project. [77][78], The economic wisdom of removing the dam has been frequently questioned. Restore Hetch Hetchy and the Environmental Defense Funds own studies support a lower cost estimate, ranging from $1 billion to $2 billion. 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. Friday, enjoy an evening about bats starting at 7 pm. 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. while birds, bees, and butterflies help the river and waterfalls to stir all the air into music. [2] Even a short stroll from the car gives a magnificent view of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir from the OShaughnessy 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. Hoover Dam. In the foreground, the deep still water of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir reflects sunshine, clouds and the proud shadows of the surrounding mountains. The fundamental issue involved two concepts. 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. Principally, dam removal on the Klamath will require annual replacement of 696 gigawatt hours of electricity by other means. The Tuolumne River originates in the peaks above Tuolumne Meadows and is the major drainage system for the northern part of Yosemite. [13], Hetch Hetchy is home to a diverse array of plants and animals. What one Secretary of the Interior giveth, another taketh away. The Hetch Hetchy watershed, an area located in Yosemite National Park, is the major source of water for all of San Francisco's water needs. Us too! California needed secure, reliable access to drinking water for their burgeoning populations. Shasta, Oroville, Hetch Hetchy and many others were built by damming large rivers. The Dam flooded about nine miles of the river, including the Hetch Hetchy valley. [9] Formerly, a "small but noisy"[10] waterfall and natural pool existed on the Tuolumne River marked the upper entrance to Hetch Hetchy Valley,[11] informally known as Tuolumne Fall (not to be confused with a similarly named waterfall several miles upriver near Tuolumne Meadows). Although there are relatively few visitors to Hetch Hetchy, youll find most of them along the trail to Wapama Fall. The O'Shaughnessy Dam and reservoir, and the series of aqueducts, tunnels, and tunnels as well as 8 other dams make up the entire Hetch Hetchy Project. Hetch Hetchy, for the time being, was safe, and it would not be inundated during Roosevelts watch.. It has not been demonstrated that Hetch Hetchy is the only available source, but only that it might be the cheapest. [70] Hodel called for a study of the effect of tearing down the dam. As the Hetch Hetchy Valley was part of Yosemite National Park, Hitchcock preferred to protect the park's natural wonders. The O'Shaughnessy Dam is near Yosemite's western boundary, but the long, narrow, fingerlike reservoir stretches eastward for about 8 miles (13 km). That's about twice the amount of power lost when Hetch Hetchy will be restored. Horace Albright, the second director of the National Park Service, wrote that Franklin Lanes appointment to the cabinet was made specifically for the purpose of pushing this [Hetch Hetchy project], the so-called Raker-Pittman Bill. (Source: The Battle Over Hetch Hetchy, Robert W. Righter). Right next to the Lucky Buck Cafe, youll find the Yosemite Westgate Lodge and Buck Meadows Lodge. Exactly how San Francisco won the right to transform the bucolic valley into a The main power facility in the system, the Moccasin Powerhouse, began commercial operation on August 14, 1925. Photo: Theresa Ho, Of course, the proposal was immediately opposed by environmentalists including the Sierra Club and John Muir. Most people called it Hetch Hetchy, a mispronunciation of a Central Mohawk word for a plant that indigenous people were harvesting there when the first white man came along.. . For John Muir, it was about preserving a natural wonder which could be enjoyed by generations to come. 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. This is why environmental impact statements, which were not required prior to 1969, are so important today. Earn $27.3125 per hour. [39], Interest in using the valley as a water source or reservoir dates back as far as the 1850s, when the Tuolumne Valley Water Company proposed developing water storage there for irrigation. The O'Shaughnessy Dam was completed in 1923 and, after the . . [4] A broad, low rocky outcrop situated between Kolana Rock and Hetch Hetchy Dome divided the former meadow in two distinct sections. There, he met the same Indian chief and his wives. [53], As completed, O'Shaughnessy Dam is 910 feet (280m) long, spanning the valley at its narrow outlet. While John Muir led the fight against building the dam, the opposition was supported by Gifford Pinchot. Proponents of the dam replied that out of multiple sites considered by San Francisco, Hetch Hetchy had the "perfect architecture for a reservoir",[43] with pristine water, lack of development or private property, a steep-sided and flat-floored profile that would maximize the amount of water stored, and a narrow outlet ideal for placement of a dam. To begin the trail, cross the dam and pass through the tunnel. [54] The entire system produces about 1.7 billion kilowatt hours per year, enough to meet 20% of San Francisco's electricity needs. First, the beauty of the valley which they felt should not be sacrificed to build a dam. The controversy over damming Hetch Hetchy became mired in the political issues of the day. As of October 2022, Hetch Hetchy was at 77.5% of its capacity. [citation needed] The George W. Bush administration proposed allocating $7 million to studying the removal of the dam in the 2007 National Park Service budget. It is part of our More than Just Parks Environmental Heroes series. There are thousands of dams in the United States. Swimming and boating are prohibited in Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in order to maintain a clean source of drinking water. 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. Have all students read the debate overview and page one of the HR 7207, the "Raker Bill". 2023 Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau, Yosemite Itineraries: What to Do in Yosemite. 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. 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). As well dam for water-tanks the people's cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man. You could miss this small mountain community if you blink at the wrong time, but it is home to a few remarkable small businesses. RELATED: Meet The Real Life Batman & Robin Of The National Parks. Hetch Hetchy and many others were built by . It is definitely worth to visit Hetch Hetchy area especially in 2021 when main Yosemite area requires booking permits in advance. Glaciers followed these low-points, leaving their own marks in particular carving out the characteristic U-shaped valley with steep sides and wide floor. strongly against restoration. You may take easy hike to Wapama falls ( around 6 miles) or even more challenging hike to Rancheria falls ( around 14 miles). This time it was in favor those who wanted to preserve the valley for generations yet to come. San Francisco could flood the valley and work began the following year. [5] The valley was slowly becoming known for its natural beauty, but it was never a popular tourist destination because of extremely poor access and the location of the famous Yosemite Valley just twenty miles to the south. There are many places to stop and enjoy views of the rushing water before turning around to return to your car. The new. Plus, the granite walls converge into a narrow outlet at the bottom of the valley the perfect location for a dam. The Hetch Hetchy dam would still be as naturally beautiful as it was before when it was preserved, and along with that, the construction of the dam will benefit the greatest number of. This time, in favor of those who wanted to build the dam. It pitted Gifford Pinchot, Americas first forester, against John Muir, Americas legendary conservationist. [50] The removal of the dam would be extremely costly, at least $310 billion,[76] and the transport of the demolished material away from the dam site along the narrow, winding Hetch Hetchy Road would be a logistical nightmare with possible environmental impacts. 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. Day 6: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to San Francisco. This valley was isolated and remote, twenty miles northwest of the original. . The Great Alaskan Land Fraud and the Pinchot-Ballinger Controversy caused both Richard A. Ballinger and Gifford Pinchot to resign and be fired respectively. [17] The valley's abundant plants provided nourishment for mule deer, black bears and bighorn sheep. 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. [54] An additional hydroelectric system comprising Cherry Lake, Lake Eleanor and the Holm Powerhouse is also part of the Hetch Hetchy Project, adding another 169 megawatts of generating capacity. They would light upon a man's blue shirt and turn it brown, and were voracious as mosquitoes would be. Finally, in 1988, a third generator was added to the Kirkwood Powerhouse. Indeed, Hetch Hetchy today[when?] 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. [40] By the 1880s, San Francisco was looking to Hetch Hetchy water as a fix for its outdated and unreliable water system. "Hetch Hetchy is a grand landscape garden, one of nature's rarest and most precious mountain temples. A recent report evaluates the economic benefits of restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley. Forests might provide for the material well-being of human beings, but they did not exist for this reason alone. Dam Hetch Hetchy! [61] In 2018, the Department of the Interior of the Trump administration began to consider a proposal to allow limited boating on the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir for the first time, supported by the advocacy group Restore Hetch Hetchy which argued that "San Francisco received [Hetch Hetchy's] benefits long ago, but the American people have not. [8], Before damming, the valley floor contained abundant stands of black oaks, live oak, Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and silver fir bordering the meadows, with alder, willow, poplar and dogwood in the riparian zone along the Tuolumne River. But Hetch Hetchy, one of nature's perfect . On this point we hold that while we are willing to die for the lives or the health of the citizens of San Francisco, we are not willing to die for their pockets. [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. To do so, it would either have to buy out the private monopoly at an exorbitant price or outmaneuver or outbid Spring Valley for a potential new reservoir., (Source: Natural Rivals: John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and the Creation of Americas Public Lands, John Clayton). Would there be any room in an acquisitive society for wildness, or for non material spiritual values?. One route begins six miles beyond the entrance station. [31], During this time, the upper Tuolumne River, including Hetch Hetchy Valley, was visited by prospectors attracted by the California Gold Rush. 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. As in Yosemite, the sublime rocks of its walls seem to glow with life . [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. Have you been to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite? 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. Gifford Pinchot wanted the U.S Forest Service to control the parks, but after his support to dam Hetchy Hetchy, Congress voted in 1916 to to establish the National Park Service whose sole purpose was "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the . Today, descendants of these people still use milkweed, deergrass, bracken fern, willow, and other plants for a variety of uses including baskets, medicines, and string. The reservoir is eight miles long and the largest single body of water in Yosemite. In 2019, Restore Hetch Hetchy commissioned another study that found enormous recreational value from removing the dam. The U.S. Congress passed and President Woodrow Wilson signed the Raker Act in 1913, which permitted the flooding of the valley under the conditions that power and water derived from the river could only be used for public interests. In the 21st century, Ken Brower, son of the renown environmentalist David Brower, wrote a fascinating account of the failed campaign to save Hetch Hetchy and the modern effort to Reverse an American Mistake, complete with speculation about how the rebirth of a wild valley might evolve. Hetch Hetchy, unlike other water storage facilities in California, is relatively buffered from near-term climate change because of its high elevation. [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 Hetch Hetchy Dam is destroying a piece of land that is the homes of multiple types of animals. Instead, the magnificence of a valley often described as Yosemite Valleys slightly smaller twin takes center stage. The Hetch Hetchy Valley is about 8 miles (13 km) from Yosemite Valley. Yes, the plan to drain Hetch Hetchy involves causing new ecological damage. [5] Chief Tenaya of the Yosemite Valley's Ahwaneechee tribe claimed that Hetch Hetchy was Miwok for "Valley of the Two Trees", referring to a pair of yellow pines that once stood at the head of Hetch Hetchy. Hetch Hetchy was the first major battle of the environmental movement.