Water has played a central role
in the development of Pasadena and the West San Gabriel Valley.
Here are some articles that document the key aspects of the local quest for
water and its impact on Southern California. Click on the title link for the full story.
Flowing Waters,
Fruitful Valley
Here
is a brief history of water development in the
Arroyo Seco
Watershed.
Founding
of the Municipal Water Department
This
lecture recounts the long arduous campaign for the
establishment of the Pasadena Water Department between 1898 and 1912.
Partners
Pasadena
played a pivotal role in the formation of the Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California. This article tells that
story and highlights Caltech's special contribution.
Wadsworth Fitting Name for
Reservoir
This article
appeared in the Pasadena Star News on January 6, 2000. That
month the Board of the MWD approved a motion to name the
reservoir Diamond Valley Lake and to honor Hiram Wadsworth and
the original founders of MWD by naming the related pumping
facility at Diamond Valley Lake the Hiram Wadsworth Pumping Plant.
Flowing Waters - An Illustrated History of Local Water
This illustrated presentation, based
on an exhibit at the Pasadena Museum of History, presents an overview of the history of water development in
Pasadena and the west San Gabriel Valley, including the science and personalities shaping it.
Pasadena Water - The Essential Ingredient
This beautifully-illustrated booklet presents the history of the Pasadena Water Department for its centennial celebrations in November and December, 2012.
One Hundred Years of Pasadena Water
This documentary was produced by Sonya Johnson and students from Art Center College of Design for the Pasadena Water & Power Department to commemorate one hundred years of municipal water.