Quote:
Originally Posted by GH85Carrera
|
Yep - no telling what might sprout up if you just add water!
William Mullholland came to LA from Ireland, at a time when most Los Angeles citizens lived on or near the LA River. He began digging ditches for city water and was rather motivated. Despite having no education, he excelled at his work and eventually conceived, planned and built nearly 400 miles of aqueduct from the eastern Sierra to LA.
That original project was 233 miles long, had 43 miles of concrete tunnels and two hydroelectric plants. And it flowed entirely by gravity.
Even more impressive is that it was planned, the funds raised, designed, built and completed in just five years -
ahead of schedule and
below budget!
It wasn't without controversy (read dam collapse, CA water wars, stolen water rights, Chinatown...) but today I cannot imagine getting a project done like that.