Our Rivers

Protecting the River: Good for Biodiversity as Well as Entertainment

In the last couple of decades, biking and walking paths and small natural parks have been established along the LA River. Kayaking is available at the Sepulveda Basin and Elysian Valley River Recreation Zones. Along with these changes, keeping trash and pollutants out of the river has helped birds, fish, and other organisms return to the ecosystem. Over time, this will increase the resilience of the ecosystem and can help restore its biodiversity as well as preserve marine organisms down the line as the LA River meets the Pacific Ocean.

Image credit: "Kayaking the Los Angeles River" by USFWS Pacific Southwest Region is licensed under CC BY 2.0. 

Sources:

• Home. LA River Expeditions. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2023, from https://www.lariverexpeditions.org/ 

• Los Angeles River Quality. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://www.lacitysan.org/san/faces/home/portal/s-lsh-wwd/s-lsh-wwd-wp/s-lsh-wwd-wp-ewmp/s-lsh-wwd-wp-ewmp-wq/s-lsh-wwd-wp-ewmp-wq-larq 

Pollutants and Contaminants from Storm Drains end up in the Ocean, even Marine Protected Areas

The Los Angeles River receives treated water and is generally clear. However, after a big storm the trash and pollutants, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and organic compounds from the streets run off into the river, taking contaminants with them to the ocean. These pollutants can travel a long distance and reach Marine Protected Areas which are specially designated parts of the ocean to conserve marine diversity and the integrity of the ecosystem. Contaminants can interfere with the balance of the ecosystem, damaging and killing different organisms.

Image credit: "Laguna Beach, Southern California 2016" by inkknife_2000 (11 million views) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. 

Sources: 

• California Marine Protected Areas (mpas). CDFW. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs 

• Rogowski, P. A., Terrill, E., Schiff, K., & Kim, S. Y. (2015). An assessment of the transport of Southern California Stormwater Ocean discharges. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 90(1-2), 135–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.11.004 

Verdugo Wash Visioning Project

A century ago, the Arroyo Verdugo, a tributary of the LA River, flooded costing many lives and property damage. As a result, it was channelized to prevent further flooding. Over time, the water level decreased to a bare trickle but storm drains bring contaminants from city streets during rainy days. The city of Glendale has proposed removing the concrete and returning the river to a more natural state, adding walkways and bike paths, connecting communities, and providing parks and recreation. The plan also includes restoring native flora, which can act as toxin filtration, and recapturing water. The natural state of the river can attract more fauna and help balance the ecosystem. Additionally, the water reaching the ocean is less polluted, thus helping marine wildlife, including corals in the Channel Islands.

Sources:

• Gec. (2020, October 6). Glendale City Council approves funding for Verdugo Wash Study. Glendale Environmental Coalition. Retrieved April 21, 2023, from https://gec.eco/glendale-city-council-approves-funding-for-verdugo-wash-study/ 

• Verdugo wash. Verdugo Wash. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://www.verdugowash.com/