Good morning, WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE… “There it is. Take it!” These are the immortal words of William Mulholland as he opened the gates for water to spill over the cascades on the way to Los Angeles. The monumental water project was the first of the projects to bring water to a thirsty Los Angeles and fuel its growth. But what was heroic is an act of theft and vilification for the ranchers and farmers of the Owens Valley, from which much of the water came (that and, later, the sorry Mono Lake). That was 108 years ago and the growth and hunger for water has not abated since then. The story of the California water project, water shortage in the West and the sheer majesty of the movement of water throughout the state is an important part of our history—and our future.
#376 Musings from the Bunker 3/18/21
#376 Musings from the Bunker 3/18/21
#376 Musings from the Bunker 3/18/21
Good morning, WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE… “There it is. Take it!” These are the immortal words of William Mulholland as he opened the gates for water to spill over the cascades on the way to Los Angeles. The monumental water project was the first of the projects to bring water to a thirsty Los Angeles and fuel its growth. But what was heroic is an act of theft and vilification for the ranchers and farmers of the Owens Valley, from which much of the water came (that and, later, the sorry Mono Lake). That was 108 years ago and the growth and hunger for water has not abated since then. The story of the California water project, water shortage in the West and the sheer majesty of the movement of water throughout the state is an important part of our history—and our future.