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Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
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Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

reservoir, Yosemite National Park, California, United States
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Quick Summary

The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is a water source for San Francisco, located 167 miles away in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It was created by damming a valley within Yosemite National Park. This project involved building tunnels to transport water to the city and also generated hydroelectric power.12

The construction of the dam faced significant opposition from environmentalists, including naturalist John Muir and the Sierra Club, who were concerned about the loss of the natural landscape within Yosemite National Park. Despite these concerns, the U.S. Congress approved the project in 1913, prioritizing the water supply and hydroelectric power benefits over preservation. The Hetch Hetchy controversy became a symbol for the growing environmental movement in the United States.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. dam - Rise of environmental and economic concerns
  2. San Francisco - Public utilities

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