Background of California Water and Power Problems

Abstract

rE IMPORTANCE of water and hydroelectric power in California and the accelerated rate of federal activity in water development here have created widespread interest in everything relating to these subjects. This interest is reflected in the news value attached to all events affecting our water supply. Floods or droughts receive liberal news space and issues of public policy receive widespread discussion. This article attempts to present, in general but factually correct terms, information on the extent of the water resources of the state, the progress that has been made in their use, and the further developments that may be accomplished. Both the past control of the waters of the state and the prospective control are discussed. The author is not an attorney. The comments here presented are the result of his own active work in this field as an engineer during the last 40 years. A look backward over the road we have traveled may aid in planning further progress. California in 1848 The progress that his been made in California in the use of its water resources can best be realized by a comparison of present conditions with those prior to the coming of the forty-niners. The same water supply was then available but it was uncontrolled and unused. Large areas were made impassable by winter floods and even larger areas were unproductive during summer droughts. Minor navigation existed on the Sacramento and Colorado Rivers. The only constructed water systems were those serving the missions and small adjacent areas. The change from the conditions in 1848 to those of a century later