William Mulholland Rank
About William Mulholland
William Mulholland, became the first American civil engineer to use hydraulic sluicing to build a dam in 1906 while building the Silver Lake Reservoir. For both his foresight and his uncompromising strategy in bringing a contentious water supply to Southern California, he is famed in the history of California water and the state's water wars.
Early Life
The Christian Brothers of Dublin educated him at O'Connell School. He fled to the sea after being berated by his father for getting poor grades at school. He joined the British Merchant Navy at age 15.
Career
He spent six years panning for gold in Arizona and working on docks and steamers on the Great Lakes. He advanced to the positions of chief engineer and general manager after beginning as a zanjero (an irrigation supervisor) for the water corporation that became the Los Angeles Water Department.
He assumed control of the city's water supply and was named head engineer of the municipal water system. He devised a proposal for an aqueduct system to convey water from the Eastern Sierra to Southern California, which led to the original Los Angeles Aqueduct and Owens River system.
Personal Life
In 1890, he wed Lillie Ferguson.
William Mulholland Rank
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F.A.Q. about William Mulholland
When is his birthday?
William Mulholland's birthday is on September 11, 1855.
In how many days is his birthday?
William's birthday is in 139 days
How old was William when he died?
He was 79 years old.
When did he die?
He died in July 22, 1935.
How old would he be today?
William Mulholland would be 168 years old if he was alive today.
Where was William from?
He was born in Belfast, Ireland.