The March 1928 collapse of the St. Francis Dam led to the second deadliest disaster in California history, killing over 400 people and destroying millions of dollars in property. The resulting flood also damaged the reputation of William Mulholland, a celebrated engineer who built a cement aqueduct to supply water to Los Angeles.
American Experience
The 1928 failure of an engineering project in California triggered a devastating disaster, ultimately becoming the state's second deadliest catastrophe, with far-reaching and catastrophic consequences.