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    • Hetch Hetchy Valley
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      • Dr. Gray Brechin
      • Mr. William Hasencamp
      • Dr. Roderick Nash
      • Mr. Spreck Rosekrans

Water Needs of San Francisco


  • San Franscisco was supplied by the Spring Valley Water authority. Multiple efforts to buy this company by the city failed.
  • James Phelan, became mayor in 1897 and advocated the use of the Hetch Hetchy valley as a permanent source of water, but multiple applications were denied. 
  • In 1906, San Francisco burned for three days as the water supply was disrupted by the great earthquake. This raised the urgency for a better water supply.


  • Click here for information on the earthquake.
                      source: Restore Hetch Hetchy
Audio Interview: Dr. Gray Brechin on the benefits for Mayor Phelan after the earthquake

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by Anoushka Bose, Junior Division, Individual Website