Near Groveland in Tuolumne County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Water Quality at Hetch Hetchy

Photographed by Karen Key, June 22, 2007

1. Water Quality at Hetch Hetchy

Inscription. The Tuolumne River supplies 85% of the water for 2.4 million people. It originates from pristine spring snowmelt as far upstream as Mt. Lyell at an elevation of 13,114 feet.

The City and County of San Francisco protects the resources entrusted to its care by continuously monitoring this watershed and working with the park to minimize pollution.

Natural occurrences such as fire and erosion can affect water quality. More than 1,000 water samples are taken annually to protect the water quality of the Hetch Hetchy System.

(caption) The Tuolumne River flows gracefully through Yosemite National Park.

(caption) Water quality specialists take samples from the river in Tuolumne Meadows to test for microorganisms.

(inset) What is Watershed? A watershed is an area that is delineated by high ridges such as cliffs, hills and mountains. Rain or snowmelt flows down from the ridges and collects in streams, rivers and other water bodies, such as lakes and reservoirs. Watershed protection is a top priority because it affects the quality of water for people downstream and everything that lives within these boundaries.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location. 37° 56.859′

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N, 119° 47.273′ W. Marker is near Groveland, California, in Tuolumne County. It can be reached from Hetch Hetchy Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Groveland CA 95321, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

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 18 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: O’Shaughnessy Dam (here, next to this marker); Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and O’Shaughnessy Dam (here, next to this marker); Producing Clean Renewable Energy (here, next to this marker); Trails and Waterfalls (here, next to this marker); Hetch Hetchy Railroad (here, next to this marker); John Muir... The Woodcutter (approx. 17.3 miles away); The Ahwahneechee (approx. 17.4 miles away); James Hutchings (approx. 17½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Groveland.

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, June 22, 2007

2. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

O'Shaughnessy Dam is in the distance.

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir — Kolana Rock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Key, June 22, 2007

3. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir — Kolana Rock

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 2,178 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 29, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.