The Significance of the L.A. Aqueduct

The construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct was a pivotal moment in the expansion of L.A., enabling it to evolve from a small frontier town into a sprawling metropolis. The aqueduct, which transports water from Owens Valley to Los Angeles, was built to provide the essential resource needed for a growing population and urban development. This project was justified through a utilitarian perspective, weighing the needs of the many in urban L.A. against the small number of residents in Owens Valley. However, this perspective led to severe consequences for the environment and the local communities, highlighting the complex moral implications of prioritizing one region's growth over another's enduring resource rights and ecological health.