(Photo – Altadena Historical Society)
“The three water companies were formed by individual wealthy landowners for their own property without thought of a larger community,” Veronica Jones, President, Altadena Historical Society.
By Brian Biery
Water is life, as the old adage goes; those who control water, control life. The story about how Altadena’s water was divided up 140 years ago is an interesting one. It has similarities to other water management and distribution projects around California, including how the Owens River was commandeered by William Mulholland to supply the City of Los Angeles with enough water to fortify its massive growth.
Long before explorers, miners, ranchers and investors arrived from the Midwest in search of fertile land, abundant minerals, and a warm climate, indigenous tribes like the Gabrielino Tongva found refuge in the canyons above present-day Altadena. Even before Spanish conquistadors and missionaries began construction of missions and forts throughout California, watersheds near the coast provided sufficient water to sustain tribal communities year-round. In fact, a Gabrielino Tongva village was located in the upper Arroyo Seco near present-day Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The City of Pasadena park on this site, Hahamongna Watershed Park, is named for that historic community.
The battle for control of local water started early in Pasadena/Altadena’s history, with claims made for water rights starting in the early 1880’s as the demand for agricultural and residential expansion outpaced the annual flow of area’s rivers and streams. With the hot, dry summers of the region’s Mediterranean climate, rainfall was insufficient to maintain hundreds of acres of citrus trees and ranches in the area. As a result, local springs and groundwater were tapped to provide moisture for crops and livestock. The main aquifer under the region is the Raymond Basin and the first well to draw its water was dug in 1881, just north of the Raymond Dyke.
Other water infrastructure projects were developed during the next decade, including a small dam at Devil’s Gate Springs which allowed for the diversion of Arroyo Seco water to the surrounding neighborhoods. In addition, three independent water districts were formed in Altadena in the 1880’s to manage water flowing from the San Gabriel Mountains’ rivers, streams, and springs.
Starting in 1881, prospectors began mine operations in several of the canyons above Altadena. Inspired by the success of the 49ers in the Sierras, dozens of miners found their way south in search of gold. The mining boom in Altadena lasted until around 1894 with several tunnels of 400 to 600 feet drilled into the mountains. Rather than finding rich veins of gold, instead the miners were overwhelmed with abundant water from underground springs that would often flood their labor-intensive tunnels.
The City of Pasadena was incorporated in 1886, and its founders made sure to define the city’s boundaries based on water rights. Long sections of Pasadena extend into the Angeles National Forest in both Eaton Canyon and the Arroyo Seco in order to preserve those watersheds for its residents. However, much of the land above Woodbury Road outside of the canyons was not incorporated by Pasadena. During this decade, the water management and distribution for most of Altadena was divided by three water companies originally based on each one’s location near Millard, Rubio, and Las Flores Canyons.
The incorporation of the Las Flores Water Company, which serves central and upper Altadena near the top of Lake Ave., was organized by charter members Peter Gano and Dr. L.A. Wright in 1885. At that time, each landowner within its boundaries was required to purchase a one-half share in the company. These landowners were responsible for water pipe maintenance and water use regulation. Today, shareholders of the LFWC number over 1,400 and still provide input into the treatment, maintenance, and distribution of water for the company. The LFWC is the smallest of Altadena’s water companies, yet has a significant footprint. In addition to serving the north central section of the community, it also provides water service to four independent neighborhood islands in the eastern portion of the town.
In 1874, Levi W. Giddings left Iowa for California to begin a new life in the celebrated Indiana Colony – which would eventually become Pasadena. Giddings brought 12 members of his family along with their earthly possessions first in a covered wagon and then by train to the West Coast. The family first settled in a house he built near the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Loma Alta Road in Altadena. Giddings became a key player in Altadena’s water history in 1878 when he purchased the old Millard claim of about 100 acres and thus gained control of the water in Millard Canyon. In order to nurture his flourishing farm of olive, citrus, cherry and shade trees, Giddings constructed a dam at Millard Springs that sent water to his California Olive Company in 1885.
In 1887, Giddings formed the Millard Canyon Water Company (MCWC) through a partnership with Frederick and John Woodbury, along with the Webster, Clark, and Hartwell families, to provide agricultural irrigation water to west Altadena. Soon the pace of residential construction, particularly of mansions built by prominent millionaires, increased the demand for water service to homes.
Pasadena still had its sights on water in Altadena, and in 1896 Pasadena Land and Water divided the 700-acre parcel that surrounded Millard Falls into two parts. The area above the falls became the Lincoln Avenue Water Company’s district and caused its name to change from the MCWC. The water below Millard Falls was acquired by the Pasadena Land and Water Company in order to service its customers in Pasadena.
The origins of the final water company in Altadena began in 1881 when Frederick and John Woodbury purchased 141 acres of land and water rights in Rubio Canyon. The brothers piped spring water from the mountains to support their fruit trees and, in 1886, formed the Rubio Canyon Land and Water Association (RCLWA) in partnership with several neighbors. The company has served central and east Altadena residents ever since. Today the RCLWA serves approximately 9.600 people through more than 3,140 water service connections.
After nearly 140 years of existence, these water companies remain independent from one another. Each company has its own infrastructure and governing board of directors, as well as unique shareholders. In addition, several sections of Altadena are provided water by Pasadena Water and Power. While discussions have been held over the decades about possible unification of these entities, none have led to the successful combination of Altadena’s three water companies. The significant damage to water storage and distribution systems caused by the Eaton Fire in January has once again raised the question of unifying these companies.
This article has been published in Colorado Boulevard Newspaper’s April 2025 Print Edition. Research provided by Altadena Historical Society, Altadena Library District.
Nice piece! Learned a lot.
Thanks for this history, Brian!
Four if you include City of Pasadena Water and Power, five if you include the Pasadena Cemetery Association, which has allegedly has a well facility in the middle of Altadena that pumps drinking water directly to the City of Pasadena. If you would like to talk about how some fire evacuation zones had up to three water providers in one zone, we can show you our GIS analysis that’ll be upcoming in our final report.
I wonder about the financial viability of these disparate water companies with a reduced customer base, at least for the next several years. We have Lincoln Water, and on our street alone they went from having 30 customers to 3.