Starting in the late 19th century, Los Angeles was outgrowing it's water supply, and by the early 20th century, the fight for water, known as the California Water Wars had begun.

On May 31st, 1889, the failure of the South Fork Dam sent 14.55 million cubic meters of water towards Johnstown, Pennsylvania, killing 2,209 people.

California Water Wars
Chinatown
William Mulholland
Los Angeles Aqueduct
Owens Valley

The Johnstown Flood: the Worst Dam Failure in U.S. History
Johnstown Flood
Daniel Johnson Morrell