The City has created a "one-stop shop" web portal that encourages users of all ages to learn about the latest events related to its landmark resource: The Los Angeles River.

Our revamped website is comprehensive, with many resources about the River and its watershed. From catching up with Committee activities, to researching the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan (LARRMP) efforts, or to simply finding things to do along the River, our new website provides wide-ranging information. One of our new features, the "Outreach and Media" navigation link, gathers recent brochures, videos, powerpoint presentations, maps, and useful resources pertaining to activities along the River.

While the City family will continue to act as a leader and steward of the River, it ultimately takes the leadership, participation, and creativity of all Angelenos to ensure that the River's revitalization becomes real.

Please join us in bringing a new life to the River.

LOS ANGELES RIVER FACTS

• A series of devastating floods caused the River to be channelized: 1914: $165 million in property damage; 1934: $75 million in damage and 49 deaths; 1938: $900 million in damage and 87 deaths—beginning in the 1930s-1940s the LA River is channelized by the United States Army Corps of Engineers
• The LA River flows through the nation’s 2nd largest urban region, into two of the world’s busiest port regions, and into the world’s largest water body: the Pacific Ocean.
• The LA River begins in Canoga Park, flows through the San Fernando Valley, along the cities of Burbank and Glendale, along Griffith Park and Elysian Park, through Downtown LA and then through the cities of Vernon, Commerce, Maywood, Bell, Bell Gardens, South Gate, Lynwood, Compton, Paramount, Carson, and Long Beach.
• LA River Watershed: 870 square miles
• LA River Length: 51 miles (1st 32 miles in City of LA)
• The first 32 miles of the River that flow through the City of Los Angeles intersect 7 U.S. Congressional Districts, 10 Council Districts, approximately 20 Neighborhood Council areas, and 12 Community Plan areas.
• Elevation at Origin (Canoga Park): 772 feet
• Elevation at Outlet (Pacific Ocean): 0 feet
• Average Slope: 0.29 percent
• Average Annual Precipitation: 15 inches
• Average Daily Discharge: 320 cubic feet per second or 207 million gallons per day
• Within the City of LA, the LA River Corridor is Home to:
  • More than 1 million people (Data from 2000 Census)
  • More than 390,000 housing units (2000)
  • More than 480,000 workers (2000)
  • More than 35,000 businesses (2003)
  • More than 80 schools (2004-5)
• At the end of 2009 only 4 states had higher unemployment rates than California (12.4%)—Nationwide: 9.7%; Communities Surrounding the River Have Rates that are Much Higher—LA County: 12%; LA City: 13.2%; City of Commerce: 21.1%; Compton: 20.2%; Bell Gardens: 18.9%; Lynwood: 18.8%

Selected Awards

The City of Los Angeles is honored that the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan has earned recognition from the following organizations:

President's Award of Excellence for Planning and Urban Design by the Colorado Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (Estes Park, CO, October 2007)

Waterfront Center’s Annual Excellence on the Waterfront Honor Award (Boston, MA, November 2007)

Award of Excellence and Honor Award from the Southern California Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (Anaheim, CA, December 2007)

Honorable Mention in Environment Now’s 2007 Top Achievements Report in the Land Use, Open Space, and Smart Growth category (Santa Monica, CA, December 2007)

National American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design (Boston, MA, May 15-17, 2008)

National Association of Environmental Professionals National Environmental Excellence Award for Planning Integration, Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan (2009)