Tag: Hetch Hetchy

A Visit to a Wet Valley

I never saw a wet valley like I did in May of 2017. I have, by no means, set the record for the number of times I’ve been to Yosemite. I am, by no means, a connoisseur of Yosemite Valley climatology. I know, by no means, all the landscapes there are to become familiar in the valley. Nevertheless, I was stunned by what I saw the weekend of May 7, 2017.


Hetch Hetchy: Pros and Cons of Restoration

What are the issues, pro and con, on restoring Hetch Hetchy Valley. Is it simply a matter of storing the water elsewhere? Let’s think about that.


Remembering the Old Yosemite Village

I took a friend through the valley and Wawona for her first visit since 1956. A lot of changes have occurred in the last 60 years.


The National Park Service and Yosemite

The first National Park, Yellowstone, was created in 1872. By 1916, there had been 11 other National Parks already created when the National Park Service, itself, was created on August 25 of that year. It seems the National Park Service came late to the party. What’s up with that?


Photos of Water Features

There are a number of “iconic” sights around the park and the valley to photograph. A few of them I can’t help but snap every time I visit. Of them are waterfalls, cascades and other water features.


The Continuing Battle Over Hetch Hetchy

The Restore Hetch Hetchy organization is still battling San Francisco over the future of Hetch Hetchy Valley. Last year they filed a suit against San Francisco for violating the Constitution of California in their management of the water resource. There was a hearing at the end of January on the subject. In my view this is an interesting contest because it isn’t really “good” vs “evil” – there are no “good guys” and “bad guys.” It is simply a difference of opinion.


Restore Hetch Hetchy Valley. Then what?

hetch-hetchy-spillway

After visiting Yosemite last month, I got to wondering about the Hetch Hetchy restoration prospects. Suppose for a moment that ruffled feathers of San Francisco and other Tuolumne River recipients are plucked and the “okay” to divert the water elsewhere is made. Then what?