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

The Aftermath

Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial and National Monument

— In the Wake of Disaster —

The Aftermath image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 1, 2025

1. The Aftermath

Inscription.

The Aftermath. Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial and National Monument. , Policy Changes , In response to the failure of the St. Francis Dam, the California Department of Water Resources Division of Safety of Dams was established on August 14, 1929, by the State Legislature. The division was authorized to review all non-federal dams over 25 feet high or which would hold more than 50 acre-feet of water. The State has full authority to supervise the maintenance and operation of non-federal dams and the new legislation allows the State to employ consultants as necessary. , , The End of Mulholland’s Career , Mulholland took full responsibility for what has been called the worst civil engineering disaster of the 20th century. He ended his career by retiring as head of the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Water Works and Supply shortly after the failure. , "Whether it is good or bad, don't blame anyone else, you just fasten it on me. If there was an error in human judgment, I was the human, I will not try to fasten it on anyone else." , -William Mulholland , , Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial and Monument , The area around the dam failure site (353 acres) was designated as a national monument exactly 91 years after the disaster. It is intended to honor the victims and memorialize the history of the dam and its consequent disaster. This site is the first national memorial managed by the United States Forest Service. , , Destructive Numbers , #1 · The worst U.S. human-made disaster of the 20th century. , 400+ · Death toll. , 10 · Washed out bridges. , $9.4 Million · For rehabilitation and settlements. $166.6 million in 2024 dollars. , 1,200+ · Homes destroyed. , 12 Billion · Gallons of water released. , , March 12, 1928 · The St. Francis Dam failed at 11:57 PM. , May 10, 1929 · Last remains of the dam were demolished. , August 14, 1929 · Dam safety legislation came into effect. , March 12, 2019 · Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial and National Monument were established.

Policy Changes
In response to the failure of the St. Francis Dam, the California Department of Water Resources Division of Safety of Dams was established on August 14, 1929, by the State Legislature. The division was authorized to review all non-federal dams over 25 feet high or which would hold more than 50 acre-feet of water. The State has full authority to supervise the maintenance and operation of non-federal dams and the new legislation allows the State to employ consultants as necessary.

The End of Mulholland’s Career
Mulholland took full responsibility for what has been called the worst civil engineering disaster of the 20th century. He ended his career by retiring as head of the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Water Works and Supply shortly after the failure.
"Whether it is good or bad, don't blame anyone else, you just fasten it on me. If there was an error in human judgment, I was the human, I will not try to fasten it on anyone else."
-William Mulholland

Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial and Monument
The area around the dam failure site (353 acres) was designated as a national monument exactly 91 years after the disaster. It is intended to honor the victims and memorialize

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the history of the dam and its consequent disaster. This site is the first national memorial managed by the United States Forest Service.

Destructive Numbers
#1 · The worst U.S. human-made disaster of the 20th century.
400+ · Death toll.
10 · Washed out bridges.
$9.4 Million · For rehabilitation and settlements. $166.6 million in 2024 dollars.
1,200+ · Homes destroyed.
12 Billion · Gallons of water released.

March 12, 1928 · The St. Francis Dam failed at 11:57 PM.
May 10, 1929 · Last remains of the dam were demolished.
August 14, 1929 · Dam safety legislation came into effect.
March 12, 2019 · Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial and National Monument were established.

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 • Man-Made Features. A significant historical date for this entry is March 12, 1928.

Location. 34° 32.822′ N, 118° 30.865′ 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

Saint Francis Dam Remains image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 1, 2025

2. Saint Francis Dam Remains

A small portion of the stepped part of the dam can be seen.

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 0.2-mile 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: The Lives That Were Lost (here, next to this marker); Night of the Disaster (here, next to this marker); Geology of the Canyon (here, next to this marker); Construction of the Dam (a few steps from this marker); William Mulholland (a few steps from this marker); Water Wars (a few steps from this marker); Before the Dam (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 a few steps from 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.

Also see . . . Thesis by Ann Stansell. A detailed report on the human loss. 2014. (Submitted on October 3, 2025.)

The Aftermath marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 1, 2025

3. The Aftermath marker

One of eight interpretive signs here.

Sections of the Dam image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 8, 2019

4. Sections of the Dam

Large sections of the dam washed down the canyon during the flood. This view is from the highway, ¼-mile south of the dam site.

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 80 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 2, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on September 10, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.