Push Continues To Drain Hetch Hetchy

An Environmental Defense report is the latest attempt to sway public opinion in favor of draining Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park and restoring the area to a more natural state.

The report concludes that the Bay Area could receive a majority of its drinking water and hydropower without the Hetch Hetchy reservoir.

The report comes as the Bay Area embarks on a $3.6 billion expansion and retrofit of the aging Hetch Hetchy water system. Seismologists warn that millions could be left without drinking water if a major earthquake strikes.

Located within the Yosemite National Park boundries, the Hetch Hetchy reservoir provides drinking water to nearly 2.5 million residents in San Francisco and its fast-growing suburbs in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda counties.