The collapse of the St Francis Dam on March 7, 1928, unleashed a catastrophic wave, killing at least 431 people and devastating communities. Despite prior warnings about structural issues, the dam's builders, led by William Mulholland, dismissed concerns and declared it safe shortly before the disaster. The dam had been built to supply water from Owens Valley to support Los Angeles's growing population. The disaster led to ongoing debates about water rights, engineering accountability, and the safety of infrastructure.
The catastrophic failure of the St Francis Dam in 1928, exacerbated by ignored construction flaws, resulted in the loss of at least 431 lives and widespread devastation.
Despite clear signs of structural failure, chief engineer William Mulholland reassured officials about the dam's safety only to witness its catastrophic collapse hours later.
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