Water and Power Associates Informing the Public about Critical Water and Energy Issues facing Los Angeles and California

Latest Newsletter

Below is a link to the April 2023 on-line Water and Power Associates Newsletter. This issue covers Water and Energy issues which affect our everyday lives here in Southern California.

Read about:

◆ The Impact of Atmospheric River Storms on California's Water Supply Update ◆ Editor's Column ◆ Snow Pack in the Eastern Sierra Breaks Record for the Highest Ever Measured! ◆ Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Approved for Continued Operation ◆ City Council Approves DWP Moving Forward with Scattergood Conversion to Hydrogen ◆ EV Charging Station Infrastructure Update ◆ UAMPS Proceeds with Plans for a Small Nuclear Reactor Plant ◆ rPlus Hydro Submits Final License Application ◆ Status of the Safe Clean Water Program (Measure W) ◆ Mystery History article directly from our Virtual Museum ◆ Guest Speakers - Talks Summary ◆ Water and Power Associates Website Update ◆ Save the Date

Click HERE to see the April 2023 Newsletter

 

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Monthly Meetings and Upcoming Events

The Water and Power Associates (W&PA) Board Meetings (Zoom and/or In-Person) are held on the second Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All W&PA members and their guests are invited to attend. Please R.S.V.P. by contacting us at: webmaster@waterandpower.org

 

Board Meeting Schedule and Guest Speakers

 

◆ June 14, 2023

Guest Speaker: Marty Adams | General Manager | LADWP Topic: Current Issues and Future Vision for LADWP Location: JFOB (Rm 1471) Hybrid / In-Person Zoom Meeting

◆ July 12, 2023

Guest Speaker: TBD | LADWP Topic: Advocacy on Issuess Affecting Water and Energy in Los Angeles Location: JFOB (Rm 1471) Hybrid / In-Person Zoom Meeting

◆ Aug 9, 2023

Guest Speaker: Simon Zewdu | Sr. AGM | LADWP Topic: Equity Issues Being Evaluated by LADWP Location: JFOB (Rm 1471) Hybrid / In-Person Zoom Meeting

◆ Sept 13, 2023

Field Trip to Castaic Lake and Power Plant

 

Please R.S.V.P. by contacting Jack Feldman at: webmaster@waterandpower.org

Click HERE to see list of previous meetings.

 

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Virtual Museum

Visit our Virtual Museum and see how Water and Power contributed to the development of the City of Los Angeles.

 

Los Angeles Aqueduct  Opening Day Ceremony    November 5th, 1913

 

 

Click HERE to visit our Virtual Museum

 

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Historical Photo Archive

Explore our collection of historical photographs showcasing the evolution of Greater Los Angeles into the second-largest metropolitan area in the United States. See vintage images that capture the city's growth and development over time.

 

 

 

Click HERE to visit our Historical Photo Collection

 

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New Museum Search Index

A new SEARCH INDEX has been added to help navigate through the more than 100 Sections and 20,000 images in our Virtual Museum and Historical Photo Collection. Try it out for a test run.

 

Click HERE for Search Index

 

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Proposed New Water Museum on Olvera Street

 

 

 

 

New Historical Water Exhibit on Olvera Street

The development of a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Historical Exhibit in the Hammel Building on Olvera Street has been approved by the Commissioners of LADWP and the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Monument Department (El Pueblo).

This new Exhibit will include the relocation of the existing History of Water Exhibit (which has been closed because it was not accessible to people with disabilities), expanded exhibits highlighting the role of the Department in the founding and development of Los Angeles, and present information on the sustainability efforts being undertaken by LADWP.

The Hammel Building which fronts on Olvera Street and also includes access to North Main Street is particularly suited for this exhibit because it contains an exposed portion of the Zanja Madre (the original water distribution system of Los Angeles).  It also has sufficient space (2,600 sq. ft.) to greatly expand the current displays to cover the historical roles of water and power in the development of the City of Los Angeles, as well as allowing for rotating exhibits focusing on current issues.

Click HERE for latest updates

 

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Featured Virtual Museum Section (Power)

LET THERE BE LIGHT!

The Early Los Angeles Streetlights Section explores the evolution of streetlights from gas lamps to the highly efficient LED’s that we see today.  It also highlights the beautiful streetlight designs that have illuminated this city throughout the last century.

Click HERE to see more.

 

 

Featured Virtual Museum Section (Water)

The old Pueblo de Los Angeles relied almost exclusively on the Los Angeles River for its water supply and thus its survival. In the early years water from the river was channeled through a distribution system of crude dams, water wheels and ditches. Los Angeles was incorporated as a municipality on April 4, 1850, but it wasn’t until ten years later that the City, through a lease contract with the LA Water Works Co., completed its first water system. Click HERE to see more in Water in Early Los Angeles.

 

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Intake Magazine

Intake, the magazine produced for LADWP employees and retirees, is now online and updated every quarter! Visit www.LADWPIntake.com and see the latest stories related to local water and energy issues as well as other current LADWP activities. You can also subscribe to receive a quarterly email highlighting the most recently posted stories.

 

Click HERE to see the latest quarterly Intake Magazine

 

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Recent Museum Additions

How much has Los Angeles air quality improved since the 1940s? Find out in our newest section titled: Smog in Early Los Angeles

The Hollywood sign is barely visible through the smog in this photo taken from above Lake Hollywood in Cahuenga Pass.

 

Another recent addition to our Virtual Museum, Historical LADWP Facts & Figures, includes a chronological listing of significant events in the Department's History.

 

Also, check out some of our more recent addtions:

Early Views of Beverly Hills	Early LA Drive-in Restaurants	Early Views of West Hollywood
Early Views of LA Gas Stations	Early LA Programmatic-Style Buildings	Early Views of Cahuenga Pass

 

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Mystery History

Test your knowledge of Los Angeles History by visiting our Mystery History Section.

The above 1929 photo shows a dam being reinforced by adding tons of earth on the downstream side as a precaution shortly after a similar dam failed catastrophically. The dam and water reservoir/lake behind it are still in use today. Name the dam and reservoir/lake in the above picture (hint: their location is within the LA City limits):

 

Click HERE to visit our Mystery History Section for Answers

 

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Special Collections

In our Virtual Museum Section, we offer a collection of oral histories covering the growth and development of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) as seen by the participants – its employees.  The collection preserves the stories of distinctive and diverse individuals whose historical experiences have shaped the collective memory of DWP.

 

 

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We also have links to special collections, papers and databases that provide unique and diverse perspectives into the history of the municipal water system in Los Angeles during the 20th century.

These collections, hosted by the CSUN Oviatt Digital Library and sponsored by Metabolic Studios, offer researchers insight into the unique history of urban development and the evolution of the municipal water system in Los Angeles. Records in the collections chronicle the roles played by politicians and local politics; private business and industry; civic organizations; and local, state, and federal governmental agencies invested in providing water to the city’s rapidly growing population.

 

 

We've added a collection of Commission Reports that highlights significant events in the history of the municipal water and power system in Los Angeles.  Featured are early reports related to the Los Angeles Aqueduct, Owens Valley and the St. Francis Dam disaster.

 

Board Reports (1911-1918)

Board Reports (1919-1925)

Board Reports (1926-1934)

 

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Featured Historical Interview

For an insightful perspective on the relationship between Owens Valley and the City of Los Angeles following the construction of the LA Aqueduct as well as the dynamics between early DWP management and City Officials, read the transcripts of a Steve Erie interview with Robert V. Phillips, Chief Engineer and General Manager of DWP, 1972-75 (Both Mr. Phillips and his father knew and worked with William Mulholland and H. A. Van Norman).

 

Robert Phillips Interview:     Part 1 --- Part 2 --- Part 3

 

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Have Someting Historical To Share? We Want to Know!

Do you have items to share? We would welcome photos of old buildings, early city views, correspondence, newspapers, early sports teams, and events that pertain to the History of Water and Electricity and/or the History of Los Angeles and Southern California in general. If you would like to retain the originals, we would be happy to scan the items and return them to you.

Take a look in your attics, and think of what you can help us collect for future generations to enjoy! If interested, please contact us at: webmaster@waterandpower.org.

 

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Help Support Our Cause

Click the Donate button to make a donation via PayPal to the Water and Power Associates, Inc. and support our ongoing endeavors researching, documenting and sharing information about critical water and energy issues, and its history in the development of Southern California.

Note: Water and Power Associates, Inc. is a 501 (c) 4 organization, and donations are deductible to the extent permitted by law.

 

 

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