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Owens Valley, USA
Troubled waters
Angelenos owe a lot to the Owens River. Its meandering flow in the Eastern California highlands was diverted in 1913 to the new Los Angeles Aqueduct, supplying the rapidly growing city with water. Owens Lake, the river's former endpoint, dried up by the 1920s and the ecosystem of the whole river valley was forever changed. Tensions between the city of LA and Owens Valley residents came to a head in the chaotic California Water Wars. And they've persisted well into the 21st century, albeit mostly in court, not via sabotage. Lawsuits forced LA's water department to release 5% of the original flow back to the river in 2006, partly refilling Owens Lake for the first time in 80 years.
Troubled waters
Angelenos owe a lot to the Owens River. Its meandering flow in the Eastern California highlands was diverted in 1913 to the new Los Angeles Aqueduct, supplying the rapidly growing city with water. Owens Lake, the river's former endpoint, dried up by the 1920s and the ecosystem of the whole river valley was forever changed. Tensions between the city of LA and Owens Valley residents came to a head in the chaotic California Water Wars. And they've persisted well into the 21st century, albeit mostly in court, not via sabotage. Lawsuits forced LA's water department to release 5% of the original flow back to the river in 2006, partly refilling Owens Lake for the first time in 80 years.
The City of Angels has this heavenly setting to thank for its much-needed drinking water.
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