the
Los Angeles
River
and the
Corps of Engineers:
A brief history
David A. Salazar
T
he Los Angeles River is regarded as an icon of LA’s sprawling hyperurbanization. To some, it’s nothing
more than a part of the landscape that splits the concrete jungle in two. To others, it’s an eyesore; a resplendent piece of nature stunted in a tomb of steel and cement.
But the 51-mile-long river wasn’t always a flood control channel.
In fact, it’s believed the river—in some form or fashion—has been in existence for thousands of years, having
supplied water to indigenous people and early explorers.
— Continued on next page—
The Los Angeles River and the Los Angeles District have had a long and unique partnership. The Corps began
channelization of the river in 1936 after a series of floods caused millions of dollars in damage and the loss of
hundreds of lives. Above, crews work on the channel between Lankersheim Blvd. and Tujunga Wash on July 1,
1948.(Corps of Engineers file photo)
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