The Owens River and Valley: A Landscape from Water and Power

The Owens River Valley, in California, at first the location of Paiute and Shoshone Indian people, subsequently came under the influence of white settlers who began to irrigate a variety of crops and orchards hoping the newly formed U.S. Reclamation Service would add federal funds to help pay for the irrigation. However, Los Angeles, looking ahead to a growing population, saw the Owens River as a marvelous source of municipal water, purchased (with questionable ethical behavior) the water rights to the River along with a healthy swath of riverside land. This is still a controversial and contentious water story.

Please join Robert Moline, Professor Emeritus of Geography at Gustavus, for a conversation and slide field trip on the Owens River Valley: Tuesday, October 24, 7 PM, Traverse des Sioux Room, Saint Peter Community Center.