“Water is life” a phrase often repeated echoes profoundly here at Lower Franklin 6-014 Dam. This dam stands as a testament to Los Angeles’s relentless pursuit of water security. It is a story etched in concrete and earth.
Lower Franklin 6-014 Dam is located in Los Angeles County. Its precise coordinates are N34.09501 degrees and W118.41091 degrees. At an elevation of 577 feet above sea level Lower Franklin 6-014 Dam can be seen on the USGS 1:24K topographic map Beverly Hills.
This dam is more than just a structure. It’s a crucial piece of Los Angeles’s intricate water delivery system. Completed in the early 20th century Lower Franklin 6-014 Dam played a vital role in storing and distributing water to the growing city.
Imagine the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power engineers meticulously planning the dam’s construction. They faced challenges of terrain and resource management. Their goal was simple. They wanted to secure a reliable water supply for a burgeoning metropolis.
Lower Franklin 6-014 Dam was part of a network of 28 reservoirs. These reservoirs were strategically placed along the Los Angeles Aqueduct. This aqueduct stretches over 200 miles. It brought water from distant sources like the Owens Valley.
The dam is close to the Lower Franklin Canyon Reservoir in the Santa Monica Mountains above Beverly Hills. Water from this reservoir flowed directly into the distribution system. This system is a gigantic underground network. It includes more than 3300 miles of water mains. It serves the west and southwest sections of Los Angeles.
Edward L. Doheny purchased a large portion of Franklin Canyon in 1912. He quickly sold a large portion to the City of Los Angeles for the upper and lower reservoir system.
The construction of Lower Franklin 6-014 Dam was a significant undertaking. A bond issue of $1.5 million was passed in April 1913. It was part of a larger package for water delivery and electric power generation. A pipeline was constructed from the Lower San Fernando Dam through the Santa Monica Mountains to the location.
In June 1914 a 52-inch pipeline would connect the tunnel and trunk line. This would bring drinking water directly from the aqueduct.
Today Lower Franklin 6-014 Dam stands as a reminder of Los Angeles’s ingenuity and determination. It is a silent guardian of the city’s water resources. It connects us to the past. It reminds us of the challenges and triumphs of those who came before us.