Serving professionals in engineering, environmental,
and groundwater geology since 1957
Fields Trips & Events


April 30, 2022
10am - 2pm

St. Francis Dam Field Trip
San Francsiquito Canyon, LA County


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The AEG Southern California Chapter is pleased to invite you to join us on Saturday, April 30 for a field trip to the site of the St Francis Dam disaster in Santa Clarita.

St. Francis Dam was a concrete gravity dam, built from 1924 to 1926 to serve Los Angeles's growing water needs. It catastrophically failed in 1928 due to a defective soil foundation, triggering a flood that claimed the lives of at least 431 people. The collapse of the dam is considered to be one of the worst American civil engineering disasters of the 20th century and remains the second-greatest loss of life in California's history, after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.

The field trip will feature a short hike to the dam site and a presentation by Prof. Emeritus Jeffrey Knott, CSUF. Participants will learn about the tragic engineering mishap of the St. Francis Dam that left communities in disaster but shaped significant aspects of the engineering geology profession.

There is no cost for this field trip; however, we ask that you register for the event at
https://aegsocal.brownpapertickets.com/
so we can gauge attendance. Beverages and light snacks will be provided. Consider packing a lunch, extra water, and sun protection. Non-members and family are welcome!

We will be meeting at the St Francisquito Canyon parking area (34.55093, -118.51081) at 10am and walking to the dam site. Please consider arranging carpools to limit the number of personal vehicles at the trailhead.”