What significant event is associated with the year 1902 in California's water history?

The year 1902 is significant in California's water history primarily due to the establishment of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. This federal agency was created as a response to the need for comprehensive management of water resources in the arid western United States, which included California. The Bureau's mission focused on the development of irrigation projects and the reclamation of arid lands, which has had a profound impact on agricultural practices and water availability in the state.

The establishment of this agency marked a pivotal moment in the federal government's commitment to managing water resources, particularly as it:

1. Facilitated the construction of major water infrastructure projects, such as dams and canals, that were vital for irrigation and flood control.

2. Played a crucial role in the movement towards federal involvement in managing and distributing water resources, paving the way for subsequent large-scale projects that would shape California’s water system.

While all the other events listed in the question are indeed important to California’s water history, they occurred at different times. For example, the Hetch Hetchy project was approved later and was a crucial development for San Francisco's water supply. Major floods in Sacramento and deliveries from the Colorado River also occurred after significant developments involving the Bureau of Reclamation. The establishment