Don L. Adams; MWD Operations Chief
Don L. Adams, chief of operations for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which provides 60% of the water used in parts of six Southland counties, has died at the age of 52.
Adams died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack while jogging near his home in Canoga Park, the MWD announced.
He had been with the MWD since 1969 and was director of resources during the area’s recent five-year drought, working to develop additional water sources to ease the crisis. He was also responsible from 1990 to 1992 for managing the district’s Colorado River water delivery contracts and planning the use of ground-water storage basins.
Adams was named chief of operations a year ago, supervising half of MWD’s 2,000-person work force and overseeing the Colorado River Aqueduct, distribution system and hydroelectric plants.
Born in Wyoming, Adams served in the Army and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cal State L.A.
He is survived by his wife, Bonni, and two sons.
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