Sylmar in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Cascades

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 14, 2019

1. The Cascades Marker

Inscription. On November 5, 1913, 40,000 people gathered here to witness the dedication of the Los Angeles - Owens River Aqueduct. The terminus of a 233-mile long engineering marvel, the Cascades were the site of William Mulholland‘s famous speech: “There it is, take it!“ An extension completed in 1940 brings water 338 miles from the system’s northernmost intake near Tioga Pass. Since 1917, significant hydroelectric power has also been generated by the aqueduct system. The water supplied by this aqueduct transformed Los Angeles from a city of 300,000 to nearly 4 million and led to the growth of Southern California as a whole. Environmental challenges, mandates, and projects have resulted in modifications to aqueduct operations. Despite reductions in water deliveries, the aqueduct remains a critical part of the city’s present and future water supply and protecting the Owens river watershed will continue to be a major activity of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Erected 2013 by E Clampus Vitus; and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. (Marker Number 653.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources •

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks, the California Historical Landmarks, the E Clampus Vitus, and the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 5, 1913.

Location. 34° 19.36′ N, 118° 29.845′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Sylmar. It is on Foothill Boulevard 0.1 miles west of Balboa Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17001 Foothill Boulevard, Sylmar CA 91342, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley — the San Fernando Valley

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "The Cascades" (a few steps from this marker); Rim of the Valley Trail (approx. 1.2 miles away); O’Melveny Park (approx. 1.3 miles away); Los Angeles Aqueduct Filtration Plant (approx. 1.3 miles away); Kramer House (approx. 1½ miles away); Sayre Fire (approx. 1.7 miles away); Live Oak Manor Rock Arch (approx. 2.4 miles away); Lyons Station (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Another marker is no longer nearby.

Marker and Cascades image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 14, 2019

2. Marker and Cascades

Beale's Cut (was approx. 1½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding The Cascades. This marker was unveiled on the 100th anniversary of the aqueduct, in a ceremony attended by DWP aqueduct employees (including me, -CB). This marker replaces the missing California State Historical Landmark No. 653, dedicated in 1958. This is also Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 742, designated in 2003.

The original bright blue underwater lights were abandoned after being turned off during the late-1970s energy crisis. New multi-color lights were installed later but they only worked for a short time.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. - The original California Historical Landmark plaque.

Additional keywords. California State Historical Landmark No. 653

The Cascades image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 14, 2019

3. The Cascades

The original aqueduct cascades are at left. The cascades at right are part of the second aqueduct built in the 1960s.

National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 14, 2019

4. National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

First Owens River - Los Angeles Aqueduct. Marker placed by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1971.

5. The Cascades

They were illuminated at night for a few years. The lights are no longer working.

Aqueduct Dedication in 1913 image. Click for full size.

courtesy DWP - LA Public Library Image Archive, November 5, 1913

6. Aqueduct Dedication in 1913

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 2,345 times since then and 138 times this year. Last updated on January 23, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 14, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on December 2, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6. submitted on August 14, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.