The Waterboys: O’Shaughnessy, Mulholland and the Delivery of ‘Liquid Gold’

In partnership with Hinterland.

The story of two Irish-born engineers, from very different backgrounds, who had a profound impact on the growth of California’s two greatest cities — by guaranteeing adequate supplies of water. One of California’s leading historians and activists, Gray Brechin (Imperial San Francisco) will discuss the controversial Hetch Hetchy dam project and its motive force, Irish engineer Michael Maurice O’Shaughnessy. Myles Dungan (How the Irish Won the West) will follow up with the parallel and equally divisive drive of Dubliner William Mulholland to bring vital growth-inducing supplies of water to Los Angeles.