Lower Van Norman Dam (Los Angeles, California)

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Also called the Lower San Fernando Dam. Built as the southern terminus of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, storing drinking water for the city. During the 1971 Sylmar Earthquake it lost 30 feet of height, when the soil became liquified, collapsed and flowed into the water. Only through concerted actions, like draining water as fast as possible and heavy equipment work, was a complete failure avoided.

Harvey Arthur Van Norman was a long time employee and engineer for the City of Los Angeles under his chief and close friend William Mulholland. When Mulholland retired Van Norman took his place as head of the Chief Engineer and General Manager of the Bureau of Water Works and Supply. When the separate water and power bureaus were merged into a single organization he became head of the new Department of Water and Power.

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