"The Bay Crossing Reach features some of the most complex and critical engineering components in the entire Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct system. In general, the Aqueduct is significant at the state level as it illustrates a pivotal shift in potable water collection and distribution in the San Francisco Bay region from reliance on local private water companies to a reliable, but distant, municipal water supply. In addition, the system utilized multiple innovative engineering structures to efficiently deliver water to the metropolitan region aprimarily by gravity flow. The scale of the water system had few peeers at the national level during the same period as only the Metropolitan System in Boston and the Catskill supply system in New York were larger. The Bay Crossing Reach utilized a unique combination of a pipleine bridge, wooden trestles, submarine pipe, valve houses, and a large concrete caisson to transmit water under and over San Francisco Bay, all concrete caisson to transmit water under and over San Francisco Bay, all while retaining sufficient hydrostatic pressure of the water line generated by gravity alone. By utilizing a complex array of structures to eliminate the need for a costly pumping station, the Bay Crossing Reach engineers, such as John Ripley Freeman and Michael M. O'Shaughnessy, conveyed their mastery in the planning and design of an efficient muicipal water delivery system. Consequently these individuals were also recognized nationally for their accomplishments"--Pages 1-2.

Includes photocopies made in 1985 of historic photographs, original photographs taken in 1985, and photographs taken in May 1989.