Progression of the Hetch Hetchy

Boston Weekly Transcript Publishes Hetch Hetchy Article

Mar 25, 1873

John Muir writes an article about the beauty of the Hetch Hetchy, inspiring others to join the environmentalist cause.

Yosemite National Park is Founded

Oct 1, 1890

Theodore Roosevelt aimed to set aside land and save it from industrialization. As a result, Yosemite National Park is founded.

Sierra Club is Created

May 28, 1892

A group of nature lovers along with Muir join together to create the Sierra Club in hopes "to make the mountains glad."

Mayor Phelan Requests Hetch Hetchy to Become a Dam

Oct 15, 1901

As the city of San Francisco began to thrive in the 1900's, the water supply lagged.The city needed a stable water supply, which Phelan found in the Hetch Hetchy, except the land was inside YNP. Damming the Hetch Hetchy would contradict the idea of preserving the area, yet water was needed.

Hitchcock Denies Phelan's Proposal

Dec 22, 1903

Secretary of Interior, Ethan Hitchcock, denies Phelan's proposal saying that Hetch Hetchy is part of a national park, establishing that the land should not be used, no matter what resources it had.

SF's Major Earthquake and Fire

Apr 18, 1906

The great earthquake of 1906 damaged many water pipelines. The city direly needed a new stable water source.

Phelan Requests Again for Hetch Hetchy Dam

May 7, 1908

Phelan requests for the damming of the Hetch Hetchy again, arguing that SF's future relies on the damming of Hetch Hetchy.

Raker Act of 1913

Dec 19, 1913

After a long debate, the Raker Act is passed, authorizing the damming of the valley.

O'Shaughnessy Dam Finished

May 24, 1923

The completion of the dam exhibited how rights to use the land and responsibilities to maintain the land come hand in hand.