Notable events and controversies Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

in 1928 st. francis dam, built , operated ladwp, @ time water department division named bureau of water works , supply, collapsed catastrophically reservoir filled. disaster, considered 1 of worst american civil engineering disasters of 20th century, remains second-greatest loss of life in california s history after 1906 san francisco earthquake , fire. ensuing flood caused devastation present-day valencia, newhall , cities in santa clara river valley, taking lives of 425 people. high death toll due, in part, confusion , mis-communication , between employees of both ladwp , southern california edison, had facilities , operations in area, led lack of prompt warnings being sent downriver communities. cities included piru, fillmore, santa paula, , san buenaventura. mulholland assumed full responsibility disaster , retired next year. pall of disaster hung on him until death in 1935.

the ladwp has been leading actor in struggle on access water owens valley, starting initial acquisition of water rights, buying out farms , asserting control on mono lake , owens lake.

the ladwp , william mulholland played key role in development of hoover dam , bringing energy los angeles. ladwp continued operate hoover dam electrical facility until 1987.

on october 10, 2011, ladwp, along community redevelopment agency of los angeles , los angeles cleantech alliance, founded la cleantech incubator.