Hetch Hetchy

Today's San Jose Mercury News reported that San Franciscio Public Utilities Commission President Richard Sklar suggested RAISING O'Shaughnessy Dam in Yosemite National Park to increase the storage capacity of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. The dam, built in the early 20th Century, could be raised by as much as 80 feet, according to the original design by San Francisco's chief engineer Michael O'Shaughnessy.

Raising the dam would raise other things, such as having to reconsider the wild and scenic designation of the Tuolumne River upstream of Hetch Hetchy. Simply mentioning it has also raised the hackles of environmentalists who are determinied to do just the opposite - tear down O'Shaughnessy Dam. I think it is likely that neither will happen.

But this discussion seems to make it is clear that top water officials throughout the state are coming to similar conclusions: California needs more water, not less, and something needs to be done to prevent shortages as the state continues to grow.