Report of the Commission Appointed by Governor C. C. Young to Investigate the Causes Leading to the Failure of the St. Francis Dam Near Saugus, California

Abstract

This report embodies the conclusions of the commission appointed to investigate the causes for the failure of the St. Francis Dam on March 12, 1928. California deplores the heavy loss of life and property that this disaster entailed. To prevent a recurrence of a like catastrophe, we believe it imperative that whatever lessons the failure of this dam may teach should be made public for the benefit of the people of our state. It was also our thought that the investigation into the causes of the failure of this dam should be made by an agency that was not in any way connected with the preparation of the plans, the construction, or the operation of the dam. Accordingly a commission of engineers and geologists of expert knowledge and eminent reputation was appointed to make this study. The instructions given its members appear in the body of their report. Despite the arduous service that the investigation required, the members of the commission served without personal compensation to them- selves, thus placing their report upon a high plane of unselfish public service. On behalf of the people of California, I extend to them the thanks of the state. As the future of California depends in a large measure upon the storage of water, and the construction of dams, it is gratifying to note that this report finds that such structures can be built with entire safety when due regard is paid to suitability of foundations and correctness of design. This is the great lesson of the disaster. C. C. Young, Governor of California.

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