Angeles National Forest near Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Water Wars

Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial and National Monument

— California Politics & Violence —

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 1, 2025

1. Water Wars

Inscription.

Water Wars. Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial and National Monument. , What Were the Water Wars? , The California Water Wars were a series of political conflicts that took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Owens Valley. These conflicts centered around Los Angeles' expanding population and water needs. Fred Eaton, the supervising engineer for the U.S. Reclamation Service, and Mulholland planned on resolving this issue by taking water from Owens Valley to Los Angeles through the construction of the LA Aqueduct. Los Angeles' population passed one million by the early 1920s, requiring even more water. More land was purchased in Owens Valley for water rights to feed the aqueduct, which enraged the residents and farmers. This also led to dropping water tables and major ecological changes in the valley. , , Water Wars Turn Violent , May 1924: LA files a lawsuit against Owens Valley farmers, claiming that they were the ones diverting water which belonged to the city. On May 21, 1924, landowners dynamite part of the LA Aqueduct, starting California's "Little Civil War." Mulholland sends hired detectives to uncover bombers, which proved unsuccessful. , , End of the Water Wars , Plans for the St. Francis Dam were already in motion despite the civil unrest. The dam was planned as an integral regulating and storage reservoir along with the Los Angeles Aqueduct. The resistance movement carried on its campaign with no notable results. Los Angeles was already looking for new places to source its water, most importantly the Colorado River. , , Los Angeles Aqueduct Numbers , 3,900 · Number of workers needed. , 164 · Number of tunnels required. , 233 Miles · Length at completion. , $23 Million · Final cost of the aqueduct. , , 1904 · The conception of the LA Aqueduct. , 1905 · Approval of the LA Aqueduct. , 1906 · LA Aqueduct plans take shape. , 1907 · LA Aqueduct construction begins. , 1907 · $23-million bond approved for aqueduct construction. , 1913 · LA Aqueduct officially opens on November 5th. , 1914 · World War breaks out in Europe. , 1919 · World War I ends. , 1924 · The Owens Valley water wars begin when landowners dynamite the LA Aqueduct. , 1926 · Los Angeles controls 90% of the valley's land and water. , 1928 · St. Francis Dam Failure.

What Were the Water Wars?
The California Water Wars were a series of political conflicts that took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Owens Valley. These conflicts centered around Los Angeles' expanding population and water needs. Fred Eaton, the supervising engineer for the U.S. Reclamation Service, and Mulholland planned on resolving this issue by taking water from Owens Valley to Los Angeles through the construction of the LA Aqueduct. Los Angeles' population passed one million by the early 1920s, requiring even more water. More land was purchased in Owens Valley for water rights to feed the aqueduct, which enraged the residents and farmers. This also led to dropping water tables and major ecological changes in the valley.

Water Wars Turn Violent
May 1924: LA files a lawsuit against Owens Valley farmers, claiming that they were the ones diverting water which belonged to the city. On May 21, 1924, landowners dynamite part of the LA Aqueduct, starting California's "Little Civil War." Mulholland sends hired detectives to uncover bombers, which proved unsuccessful.

End of the Water Wars
Plans for the St. Francis Dam were already in motion despite the civil unrest. The dam was planned as an integral regulating and

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storage reservoir along with the Los Angeles Aqueduct. The resistance movement carried on its campaign with no notable results. Los Angeles was already looking for new places to source its water, most importantly the Colorado River.

Los Angeles Aqueduct Numbers
3,900 · Number of workers needed.
164 · Number of tunnels required.
233 Miles · Length at completion.
$23 Million · Final cost of the aqueduct.

1904 · The conception of the LA Aqueduct.
1905 · Approval of the LA Aqueduct.
1906 · LA Aqueduct plans take shape.
1907 · LA Aqueduct construction begins.
1907 · $23-million bond approved for aqueduct construction.
1913 · LA Aqueduct officially opens on November 5th.
1914 · World War breaks out in Europe.
1919 · World War I ends.
1924 · The Owens Valley water wars begin when landowners dynamite the LA Aqueduct.
1926 · Los Angeles controls 90% of the valley's land and water.
1928 · St. Francis Dam Failure.

Erected by U.S. Forest Service, Student Conservation Association, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 1, 2025

2. Water Wars

The scene at No Name Canyon after a dynamite attack destroyed 400 feet of pipe, May 27, 1927.

• Man-Made Features • Natural Resources.

Location. 34° 32.829′ N, 118° 30.87′ W. Marker is near Santa Clarita, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Angeles National Forest. It can be reached from San Francisquito Canyon Road just north of San Francisquito Motorway, on the right when traveling north. Walk ¼-mile south along the abandoned roadway to the dam site. The trail to the markers is past the dam site on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35618 San Francisquito Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita CA 91390, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Before the Dam (here, next to this marker); William Mulholland (here, next to this marker); Construction of the Dam (here, next to this marker); Night of the Disaster (a few steps from this marker); Geology of the Canyon (a few steps from this marker); The Aftermath (a few steps from this marker); The Lives That Were Lost (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named St. Francis Dam Disaster Site (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clarita.

Another marker is no longer nearby. St. Francis Dam Disaster Site (was

Water Wars marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 1, 2025

3. Water Wars marker

One of eight interpretive signs here.

within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. - Saint Francis Dam Disaster sites.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.