Baldwin Hills Reservoir, Water reservoir in Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles, United States.
Baldwin Hills Reservoir was a water storage facility in Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles, built at an elevation of 232 feet (71 meters) with earth dikes on three sides and a main dam to the north. The structure covered several acres and held enough water to serve part of the city's supply until the dam failed and the site was permanently taken out of service.
The project started in 1951 through the city water department to meet growing drinking water demand in Los Angeles. On December 14, 1963, the dam collapsed completely within 77 minutes, leading to one of the most consequential dam failures in California history.
The spot recalls one of the city's most serious infrastructure accidents, with visitors today using hiking trails that cross the former basin site. Interpretive signs at the edge of the park tell the story, while joggers and cyclists move through the hills without noticing the ground's earlier purpose.
The remains lie within Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, so visitors can use the park's hills and paths to trace the topography of the former basin. A visit on weekdays avoids larger crowds, while viewpoints in the park offer a look at the surrounding area.
Engineers later discovered a crack in the dam structure caused by underground oil extraction that led to the sudden failure. The incident influenced nationwide regulations for dam construction in areas with active oil drilling.
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