ST FRANCIS DAM DISASTER TALK & TOUR 2026

Join us in person for an unforgettable day diving into the history of the St Francis Dam Disaster. Discover the stories behind this monumental event through an engaging talk followed by a guided tour of the site. Whether you're a history buff or just curious, this event is a perfect way to connect with the past and explore the impact it had on our community. Don’t miss out on this unique experience in 2026!

On its 98th anniversary, we are offering an in-person event exploring the dramatic history of the St. Francis Dam disaster.
Discover the story behind California's most tragic engineering failure through a fascinating talk and an exclusive tour of the site. Perfect for history buffs and curious minds alike - come learn, reflect and explore!

Info: Dr. Pollack will provide a general historical overview of the St Francis Dam disaster, along with the events leading up to the disaster, its aftermath and its role in reducing the risk of future dam failures. The talk includes the water history of Southern California, the LA Aqueduct construction and the Owen’s Valley Water Wars as preludes to the dam tragedy.

Info: Ann will talk about the efforts to memorialize the victims of the St Francis Dam disaster as well as her research as a contributor and co-leader of CSUN’s Forgotten Casualties Project.

Info: Dianne will relate the emotional and heartbreaking stories of the victims of the disaster as well as paying tribute to, and telling the stories of the disaster’s heroes.

Info: Audience members will have the opportunity to ask our dam experts any questions they have pertaining to the dam disaster and water history of Los Angeles.

Info: Our dam experts will be leading participants on an on site tour to the St Francis Dam site, to include the remains of the dam foundation, the “Tombstone,” and the western wing dike. We will be pointing out the pelona schist rock on the dam’s eastern abutment which contained an ancient landslide which initiated the dam break, as well as the western abutment consisting of fragile Sespe conglomerate rock. Also to be seen are numerous blocks of the dam which were driven downstream as the dam gave way and let loose 12 billion gallons of water. On the way to the dam site, we will be pointing out other dam related sites such as the Harey Carey ranch and the Ruiz Cemetery.

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Host or Publisher Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society