Re: “County signs off on 1,500 more homes for west side,” news, Nov 19.
On Dec. 14, 1963, I watched from our rooftop as the Baldwin Hills Dam ruptured, releasing 290 million gallons of water into our neighborhood and killing three people. I didn’t know that dam existed.
Castaic Dam is situated at the northern end of the Santa Clarita Valley and has a capacity of 105.5 billion gallons of water. Most residents do not realize that this dam exists.
The disastrous historic St. Francis Dam, which collapsed in 1928, held 12.5 billion gallons of water and was built in San Francisquito Canyon, one ravine over from the current Castaic Dam. This disaster claimed nearly 450 lives.
The Castaic Dam was completed in 1972 and is estimated to withstand an earthquake of 8.0. What if this is wrong?
Look at a map, and you’ll see that these 1,500 homes are directly in the path of the dam and potential water flow. Certainly, geologists and water flow engineers might estimate that some of that water will be redirected along the Santa Clara River, where the flow of the St. Francis Dam followed. But where are the studies that will help us understand how much water will flow directly toward the nearby housing development?
While concerns about environmental impact and water contamination are important, this flooding could be extremely dangerous. Not only will these 1,500 homes be in the crosshairs of floodwaters, but so will the Pitchess Detention Center, the Castaic Animal Shelter, the industrial complex, and downstream towns like Fillmore.
Several years ago, an unofficial Santa Clarita Valley expert told me that casualties might reach 40,000.
The county should ask qualified experts to analyze the local geology and water flow related to a potential dam failure, and to create an evacuation plan for residents, schools, businesses, roads, and freeways.
Signing off on this development does not relieve the county of its responsibility to keep citizens safe. Still, it is our duty to raise awareness of potential disasters and protect our valley.
Dr. Gene Dorio
Saugus
