Water Wars: Sharing a Precious Resource — Reading Comprehension

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Grades

Standards

D2.HIS.2.5
D2.HIS.3.5
RI.4.3
RI.4.4
W.4.2

About This Reader

This engaging U.S. history reading passage explores the story of California’s "Water Wars" and the challenges of sharing water in a growing, diverse state. Students will learn how water became a precious resource as people from many backgrounds moved to California. The passage highlights the impact of immigration and diversity, the building of aqueducts, and how different communities worked together—and sometimes disagreed—to solve problems. Key vocabulary words are included, along with a Spanish translation for learners. Activities include a multiple-choice quiz, writing prompts, a timeline, and graphic organizers to help students analyze cause and effect and understand the importance of water in Modern America. This resource is aligned with C3 Framework and Common Core standards, featuring read aloud audio and supports for English learners. Perfect for building foundational literacy and historical understanding while exploring real events that shaped California and the nation.

CONTENT PREVIEW

1. View northwest of 1st Aqueduct Cascades portal - Los Angeles Aqueduct, Cascades Structures, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA
Source: Library of Congress - Lowe, Jet

California is a place where water is very important. In the early 1900s, cities like Los Angeles started to grow quickly. Many new people moved there for jobs and a better life. But California has dry land, so there was not enough water for everyone. This caused a problem called the water wars.

Farmers in the Owens Valley needed water for their crops. They used rivers and streams to keep their fields green. At the same time, people in Los Angeles wanted more water for their homes and gardens. City leaders made a plan to bring water from the mountains to the city. They built a long aqueduct to carry water over 200 miles. The aqueduct was finished in 1913. William Mulholland, a famous engineer, said, "There it is. Take it." when the water first arrived in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles grew larger because of the new water supply. But people in the Owens Valley were upset. Their rivers dried up, and their farms suffered. Many families lost their livelihoods. Some farmers tried to stop the water from leaving the valley. They broke the aqueduct in some places to show how angry they were.

People from many backgrounds moved to California. Immigrants from other countries and people from across the United States came to work in farms and cities. They all needed water too. The problem of sharing water brought many groups together. Sometimes they worked as a community to find answers. Other times, they argued and even fought.

Over time, leaders had to make new agreements about how to share water fairly. These agreements tried to help both city people and country people. Today, there are still debates about water in California. People are learning to use less water and to protect the environment. They know that working together is the best way to solve big problems.

Interesting Fact: The Los Angeles Aqueduct was so big that it took over 5,000 workers to build it, and it changed the way people lived in California forever!

Why did Los Angeles need more water?

City was growing quicklyTo fill swimming poolsFor building new roadsTo make electricity

Who was upset by the aqueduct?

Owens Valley farmersCity leadersEngineersImmigrants

What was built in 1913?

AqueductBridgeSchoolDam

What effect did water wars have?

Farms suffered in Owens ValleyMore rain fellCities stopped growingEveryone was happy

Why did people break the aqueduct?

To show angerTo clean itTo get more waterFor fun

What did leaders do to solve the problem?

Made agreementsLeft CaliforniaBuilt more homesUsed more water