What is the LA Aqueduct System Water is diverted from the Owens River near the Sierra Nevada mountains. The system is a gravity machine, requiring careful grading to keep water flowing without pumps. The California Water Wars The project was built amid shady dealings, souring relationships with Owens Valley residents, leading to acts of sabotage like bombing the aqueduct and seizing the Alabama Gates. Environmental Impact The diversion dried up Owens Lake, turning it into a massive source of dangerous dust pollution that LA is still trying to mitigate at a cost of over a billion dollars. Engineering Marvels The system utilizes inverted siphons to cross deep canyons (like Jawbone Canyon) and features the massive Elizabeth Tunnel to cut through mountain ranges. Power and Disasters The aqueduct generates hydroelectric power but also saw tragedy, notably the St. Francis Dam failure in 1928, which killed over 400 people. Modern Operations The150
