Los Angeles River

Long a neglected part of our city's landscape, the Los Angeles River once defined life in the area. 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, resulting in the Army Corps of Engineers' work over the next 30 years to essentially turn 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 Los Angeles River itself is increasingly the site of artistic, social, and educational activity, once becoming a lifeline linking a growing and diverse population.

A wide shot of families walking along the concrete banks of the LA river with a bridge in the background

A wide shot of families walking along the concrete banks of the LA river with a bridge in the background

Article

Near, Far, Wherever They Are, Angelenos Love the L.A. River

A freeway crosses a concretized river bed. This is an aerial view of the Los Angeles River as it meets the Rio Hondo.

A freeway crosses a concretized river bed. This is an aerial view of the Los Angeles River as it meets the Rio Hondo.

Article

Artbound

L.A. Residents Push for More Inclusion in Gehry-Designed Arts Center

Lewis MacAdams, founder of Friends of the Los Angeles River, stands in the river as bulldozers clear vegetation from its channel in anticipation of heavy El Nino-driven rains, expected in the winter of 1997-98 | Blake Gumprecht, courtesy of FoLAR

Lewis MacAdams, founder of Friends of the Los Angeles River, stands in the river as bulldozers clear vegetation from its channel in anticipation of heavy El Nino-driven rains, expected in the winter of 1997-98 | Blake Gumprecht, courtesy of FoLAR

Article

Earth Focus

He Made Waves on the River: Lewis MacAdams Passes Away

Introduction to the L.A. River

L.A. River Expeditions launches kayaks for its tours along the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. | Sandi Hemmerlein

L.A. River Expeditions launches kayaks for its tours along the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. | Sandi Hemmerlein

SoCal Wanderer

Seven Neighborhood Gems Along the L.A. River

Earth Focus

What's Taking L.A. River Revitalization So Long?

Edward Koehn, Chief of flood control design for the Los Angeles district, explains the model to colleagues, 1948. Courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library.

Edward Koehn, Chief of flood control design for the Los Angeles district, explains the model to colleagues, 1948. Courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library.

Earth Focus

A Brief History of The Army Corps and the L.A. River

L.A. River CleanUp. | Courtesy of Friends of the Los Angeles River

L.A. River CleanUp. | Courtesy of Friends of the Los Angeles River

Earth Focus

Restore, Reclaim, Revitalize: Meet the Communities Working to Make the L.A. River Better for All

LA River Birds: Blacknecked Stilt

LA River Birds: Blacknecked Stilt

Earth Focus

Concrete, A Necessary Evil In the L.A. River's Ecosystem

Earth Focus

L.A. River Excursion: Bicycle Journey to Long Beach

Earth Focus

Explore the Bridges of the L.A. River on Foot

marshpark-fed-approval

marshpark-fed-approval

Earth Focus

Feds Okay $1-Billion Los Angeles River Project

Earth Focus

To Fish or Not to Fish in the L.A. River

American White Pelicans: LA River Birds

American White Pelicans: LA River Birds

Earth Focus

The Los Angeles River, a Surprising Oasis for Birds

Earth Focus

Frogtown: Should It Be Called Toadtown Instead?

Graffiti on the L.A. River 1999 I Photo by Juan Devis

Graffiti on the L.A. River 1999 I Photo by Juan Devis

Earth Focus

Getting Up, Staying Up: History of Graffiti in the L.A. River

Not A Cornfield

Not A Cornfield

Article

Earth Focus

Field of Dreams: The Cornfield Throughout Los Angeles History

Taylor Yard (large) | Courtney Cecale

Taylor Yard (large) | Courtney Cecale

Taylor Yard: A Green Metropolis

More Stories

L.A. River Special

L.A. River Special

Season 15 Episode 1507

Huell Takes an Enlightening Journey Down the L.A. River

The Los Angeles River is often thought of as a huge concrete eyesore. Not anymore, at least not after you join Huell for this special one hour adventure where Huell literally travels down the miles of river.