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6 METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT I I 4 \ ( ./. I) 0, :,J 1...J'" Emergency guarding of aqueduct features instituted im- mediately after Pearl Harbor, December 7. 1942 A supply of water in the Colorado River aqueduct made possible the training by the United States Army of great number<< of soldiers and airmen in open desert regions of Southern California. Annexation of Coastal Municipal Water District was com- pleted in June. Certainty of an ample water supply was a determining factor in the locat.ion of synthetic rubber plants and an iron blast furnace and steel mill in this coastal basin. Unused District power at Hoover Dam was made available to near-by huge metallurgical plant for production of mag- nesium to satisfy wartime demands. 1943 Construction of pipe line and reservoir to deliver Colorado River water to Coastal Municipal Water Dist.rict was begun in January, Fourth and final generating unit in Parker power plant st.arted regular operation in May. 1944 Coastal pipe line and rf'servoir completed. First delivery of Colorado River water to Laguna Beach February 22. In December President Roosevelt approved an emergency appropriation for construction of an aqueduct from the west portal of San Jacinto tunnel to San Vicente reservoir of the San Diego water system. 1945 On April 4 bids for construction of three tunnels, being a portion of the San Diego aqueduct, were opened in the San Diego office of the U.S. Eleventh Naval District. Contract was awarded in May by U. S. Navy, Bureau of Yards and Docks. but construction was deferred because of acute short- age of labor and materials. 1946 Construction in progress on all features of the San Diego aqueduct. The City of Brea and Fairview Farms (an unincorporated area) were annexed to Coastal Municipal Water District. I I I