California History Semester Practice Exam

The Raker Act of 1913 was a pivotal piece of legislation that authorized the construction of a dam in Hetch Hetchy Valley within Yosemite National Park. This act was significant because it allowed the city of San Francisco to access water and hydroelectric power from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which was crucial for the development of the city, especially following the 1906 earthquake and fire that devastated much of San Francisco.

The decision to construct the dam was a controversial one, as it involved the flooding of a national park valley that some considered to have exceptional natural beauty. However, the act was viewed as necessary to secure a reliable water supply to support a growing urban population. The dam, completed in 1923, has been vital to the water infrastructure of the Bay Area ever since.

This context highlights the importance of the Raker Act in shaping California's water resources and infrastructure, especially in a time when the demand for water was rapidly increasing. The other options do not accurately reflect the key impact of the Raker Act in California's history.