The Dam That Broke a City | Los Angeles News

On March 12, 1928, the St. Francis Dam in Los Angeles collapsed, killing over 400 people and reshaping the city’s water infrastructure forever. Built by self-made water czar William Mulholland, who ignored warnings of seeping water and unstable mica schist foundations, the dam was deemed safe despite clear red flags. When it gave way at midnight, the resulting flood obliterated communities. Though Mulholland took full blame—saying “you just fasten it on me”—he never faced criminal charges. The disaster sparked new safety laws, but its shadow looms large in LA’s history as a cautionary tale of hubris and neglect. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/752f269d6220800e Presented by The Plant Daddies — rare specimen trees, living art, and hand-carved limestone vessels and fountains for extraordinary spaces. Showrooms in Los Angeles and Irvine. Listeners of Los Angeles News Today receive 10% off with code LANEWS10. theplantdaddies.com/lanews