Los Angeles Aqueduct, Water conveyance system in Los Angeles County, United States.
The Los Angeles Aqueduct is a water conveyance system in Los Angeles County that carries water from the Owens River through the Sierra Nevada to the city. The installation includes tunnels, reservoirs, and power plants across a total route of over 230 miles (370 km) through desert and mountain terrain.
William Mulholland directed construction of the first section starting in 1908 with over 6,000 workers, and it was completed in 1913. A second branch was added during the 1970s to meet the rising water demand of the growing city.
The project triggered tensions between the growing metropolis and Owens Valley farmers who lost their water rights. These conflicts shaped regional relationships for decades and influenced water legislation throughout California.
The waterway runs mostly through remote areas and is not accessible to visitors, though some sections are visible from public roads. The Department of Water and Power operates information centers in the region that occasionally offer guided tours to selected locations.
The entire system relies exclusively on natural gravity to move water over more than 230 miles (370 km) without using mechanical pumps. This engineering achievement made it possible to optimize the elevation difference of about 3,000 feet (900 meters) between source and city.
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