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Departures is KCET's hyper-local web documentary, community engagement tool and digital literacy program about the cultural history of Los Angeles' neighborhoods.
Welcome to LA River
Now a neglected part of our city's landscape, the Los Angeles River once defined life in the area. Long before there was a California or even a United States, the Gabrieleño Indians had a community of over 45 villages dotting the San Fernando Valley and present day Glendale, and the River was their foundation, providing water and a diverse selection of food. In 1769, Spain's Gaspar de Portola "discovered" the river during his explorations, dubbing it El Río de Nuestra Señora La Reina de Los Ángeles de Porciúncula - the Porciuncula River. Later that would shortened to merely reflect the name of the city growing around it, the waterway that once defined the region becoming its subordinate.
The river was originally alluvial, meaning its banks and bed were formed from loose sediments and rock that allowed it to change its path depending on water flow and season. Up until the early 1800's, the river actually flowed into the Pacific near Marina Del Ray, but a particularly severe flash flood in 1825 diverted the river all the way to Long Beach, where it has remained since.
The Los Angeles River was the LA Basin's main source of drinking water until the Los Angeles Aqueduct opened in 1913, water from the Owens River being pumped over the Sierra Nevada mountain range and into the city. Although the river was fairly dry for most of the year, winter rains often brought with them dramatic and unpredictable flash floods well into the 1930s. After a devastating flood in 1938, Angelenos began to demand flood control measures, leading to the creation of an ambitious project to both encase the riverbed in concrete to prevent it from changing course, and to regulate flow by building the Sepulveda Dam. The Army Corps of Engineers would spend the next 30 years essentially turning the river into a man-made storm drain.
Now, work on the Los Angeles River has moved from flood control to conservation, as advocacy groups and individuals take on the task of preserving and restoring the river and its wildlife. The Sepulveda Basin has become known not just for its dam, but for its recreational space and ecological diversity. The Los Angeles River itself is increasingly the site of artistic, social, and educational activity, once becoming a lifeline linking a growing and diverse population.
The river was originally alluvial, meaning its banks and bed were formed from loose sediments and rock that allowed it to change its path depending on water flow and season. Up until the early 1800's, the river actually flowed into the Pacific near Marina Del Ray, but a particularly severe flash flood in 1825 diverted the river all the way to Long Beach, where it has remained since.
The Los Angeles River was the LA Basin's main source of drinking water until the Los Angeles Aqueduct opened in 1913, water from the Owens River being pumped over the Sierra Nevada mountain range and into the city. Although the river was fairly dry for most of the year, winter rains often brought with them dramatic and unpredictable flash floods well into the 1930s. After a devastating flood in 1938, Angelenos began to demand flood control measures, leading to the creation of an ambitious project to both encase the riverbed in concrete to prevent it from changing course, and to regulate flow by building the Sepulveda Dam. The Army Corps of Engineers would spend the next 30 years essentially turning the river into a man-made storm drain.
Now, work on the Los Angeles River has moved from flood control to conservation, as advocacy groups and individuals take on the task of preserving and restoring the river and its wildlife. The Sepulveda Basin has become known not just for its dam, but for its recreational space and ecological diversity. The Los Angeles River itself is increasingly the site of artistic, social, and educational activity, once becoming a lifeline linking a growing and diverse population.
Confluence
L.A. River News
Check our Confluence blog for the latest news and stories on the L.A. River.
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NELA RC
I Want My L.A. River To Be...
What do you want your L.A. River to be? You can influence the future of your community with your comments.
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LA River
NELA Riverfront Collaborative
Northeast L.A. communities along the L.A. River will be re-envisioned as a "Riverfront District."
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Historical Slideshow
Once Upon a Time
See what the L.A. River was like before it was channelized in concrete.
See the SlideshowMore Stories
River Notes:
Dubbed the "Ten Bridges Epic" walk, Big Parade L.A.'s Dan Koeppel will lead attendees through ten bridges that cross the Los Angeles River.
L.A. River Sustains No Long Term Damage After Tanker Fire
July 16, 2013 11:00 AM
by Carren Jao
River Notes:
Despite the Michael Bay-esque images of a burning Los Angeles River and surrounding vegetation, there's very little to no environmental damage to the river.
New L.A. River Bridge Will Connect Atwater Village to Griffith Park
July 11, 2013 2:30 PM
River Notes:
The $6 million suspension bridge would link equestrians and bicyclists in Atwater Village to 56 miles of horse trails in Griffith Park and the Los Angeles River Bikeway.
Summer Evening with Marshmallow Roasting on the L.A. River
July 10, 2013 1:30 PM
by Rubi Fregoso
River Notes:
For those eager for a sweet adventure, there was a treat awaiting them at Marsh Park in Elysian Valley -- marshmallows on an open flame. Delicious!
Future of Silver Lake Reservoir Could Be with the L.A. River
July 9, 2013 2:30 PM
by Carren Jao
River Notes:
What will be the role of the reservoir after it is decommissioned in 2015? Environmentalists envision a multi-benefit project that would preserve it while also adding to the health of the Los Angeles River.
Funders and Partners
Support for the Departures' Los Angeles River installment is provided through these funders and local community partners, as well as from viewers like you.
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