LA County Public Works / Flood Control District

Develop mapping and assessment planning tools to identify areas at risk for displacement around the LA River in order to prioritize affordable housing projects.

Understanding where along the river new projects might impact housing affordability starts with understanding what areas are at the greatest risk of displacement. Using mapping and assessment planning tools to identify these areas, proactive steps can be taken in proportion…

Streamline permitting processes for artwork and cultural activities along the river.

Since the US Army Corps of Engineers and the LA County Flood Control District each have different permitting requirements, permit seekers today must be knowledgeable about the governance and regulations along the river to obtain a permit. Where one of…

Increase safe transportation routes to the river.

Ensuring that there are clear, safe, direct connections from neighborhoods to the LA River makes nearby neighbors more likely to use the river and, by extension, the broader LA County network of parks and trails that the river connects to. The…

Increase habitat and ecosystem function along the river corridor.

Intact ecosystems perform multiple critical services beyond providing habitat for wildlife and providing public enjoyment. They make air more breathable, water more drinkable, and climate more stable. They help mitigate the negative effects of urban development by filtering and absorbing stormwater,…

Promote public safety along the river.

Community members named safety as the top reason they do not use the LA River. Improving the perception of safety means addressing physical and perceptual factors. Physical factors include having appropriately scaled railings and a path that is clear of…

Promote life safety along the river.

A reimagined river is intended to draw more people to use the river corridor. With increased usage comes a responsibility to provide for the safety of those users through increased awareness, hazard mitigation, and emergency response.

Create 51 miles of connected open space along the river.

The LA River has great potential to serve as the backbone of an open space network across LA County. This 51-mile backbone would be unique within the county, providing park space to underserved adjacent communities, offering a variety of experiences from…

Implement consistent floodplain management practices across the region.

Floodplain management is fundamental to reducing losses from floods. Adopting regionally consistent floodplain management practices, such as managing development in the floodplain, will help to reduce potential catastrophic flood damage and improve community resilience to flooding.

Improve flood facility operations and maintenance.

Dams, levees, channels, and other flood management projects, like all infrastructure, require proper operations and maintenance. Increased investment in operations and maintenance of LA River infrastructure can increase its effectiveness and lengthen its useful life, providing a greater return on…

Increase public awareness of flood hazards and river safety.

Although flooding is the most common type of natural disaster in the country, the threats of flooding are often discounted by residents of Los Angeles County. The lack of recent floods coupled with severe droughts have rendered most people living…