LA River at Balboa

Upper River - "Encircled by the Santa Monica, Santa Susana, and San Gabriel Mountains, the San Fernando Valley is the primary inheritor of the life-giving rains that land in the Los Angeles River Watershed. Before industrialization, plentiful orchards, vineyards, and cattle farms stretched across the valley and were sustained by the massive aquifer just beneath the surface. This aquifer fed the Los Angeles River with seasonal springs which, in turn, was an indicator of a healthy and robust water supply. Although the natural waterways have been heavily altered, the San Fernando Valley stretch of the River still features great walking paths, bike trails, bird-watching, and kayaking, especially in the beautiful Sepulveda Basin, and in the future, we hope to see important connections to our often underappreciated mountain spaces." (FoLAR)

See Upper River Map.