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  • Thesis
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    • Hetch Hetchy Valley
    • San Francisco Water Needs
    • 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
  • Debate
    • Proponents
    • Opponents
    • The Debate Continues
  • Diplomacy
    • Conservationist Advocacy
    • Preservationists Lack In Their Efforts
  • Impact / Analysis
    • Successes
    • Failures
    • Consequences
  • Supplemental Materials
    • Process Paper
    • Bibliography
    • Transcripts>
      • Dr. Gray Brechin
      • Mr. William Hasencamp
      • Dr. Roderick Nash
      • Mr. Spreck Rosekrans

Interactive Timeline of Events
    

1850

Picture
A pristine valley - source: Sierra Club



First European-American enters Hetch Hetchy Valley.

1882

Picture
Spring Valley Water Company Directors
source: SF Public Utilities Commission



San Francisco contemplates making Hetch Hetchy Valley into a reservoir.

1890

Picture
President Harrison
source: Library of Congress



President Harrison establishes Yosemite National Park, including the Hetch Hetchy Valley.

1891

Picture
Logging in the Sierras
source: Sierra Mountain Times



The National Forest Reserve Act is passed, preventing exploitation of wilderness.

1901

Picture
The reservoir - source: Sierra Club



Mayor James Phelan files for water rights in Hetch Hetchy, which is denied.

1903

Picture
President Roosevelt
source: Library of Congress



President Roosevelt endorses Pinchot's conservationist stance.

1905

Picture
John Muir - source: PBS



John Muir launches an 8-year campaign against the damming.

1906

Picture
San Francisco devastation
source: SF Virtual Museum



The great San Francisco earthquake occurs.

1908

Picture
Chief engineer O'Shaughnessy
source: SF Virtual Museum



San Francisco gets authorization to explore development in the valley.

1913

Picture
O'Shaughnessy Dam construction starts
source: SF Public Utilities Commission



President Wilson authorizes the Raker Act after many hearings in Congress.

1923

Picture
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
source: Missouri University of Science
& Technology



The O’Shaughnessy Dam is completed and the valley is flooded.


by Anoushka Bose, Junior Division, Individual Website