WATERWAY PROJECTS L.A. SAN RIVER GABRIEL RIVER L.A. River: Quest for a more natural resource Los Angeles Lining much of the river with concrete greatly reduced the flooding that used to bedevil the region, but subsequent development did not take advantage of the urban stream. Instead of incorporating it in landscaping and design, new buildings turned their backs on the river. A reversal of sorts is in the works, as planners envision a waterway that will give people a place to play, protect against flooding, improve water quality and replenish supplies of fresh Pacific Ocean water. In this latest in a series of occasional graphics, here’s a look at steps to improve the river water’s environmental qualities: DODGER STADIUM A proposal for better water One concept in the Los Angeles (To Downtown L.A.) River Revitalization plan calls Broadway for diverting, cleaning and reusing rainwater, street runoff Elysian Park and tributary water. Here’s how it could happen north of down- RAIL LINES town, where the Arroyo Seco meets the Los Angeles River: Ave. 19 METROLINK RR Los Angeles River 1 Landscaped roofs would be used to divert rainwater and Rainwater Pasadena Freeway collect it in cisterns. Street runoff 2 Street runoff, water from cisterns and the Arroyo Seco's flow would be diverted to Cistern San Fernando Rd. proposed wetlands. METRO GOLD LINE 3 The proposed Arroyo Seco wetlands would filter the water, 2 reducing some pollutants. Landscaped roof Rainwater 4 Water would flow into the 1 river. Some would sink into the 4 aquifer for future use. N 3 Proposed Arroyo Seco wetlands Cistern (This drawing shows a concept plan) 2 Controlling the flow Long-term plans call for using temporary dams to pool water for recreation and help slow the river to about 8 mph, allowing vegetation to grow on its banks, but failure of such dams could prove hazardous downstream. Existing river flow velocities: Less than 10 mph 10.3 – 13 mph Greater than 13 mph Proposed rubber dam Bell Browns Aliso Cyn. Wash Bull Tujunga Burbank Western Verdugo Wash Creek Cyn. Wash Reseda Creek Van Nuys Wash Burbank Channel Glendale Pacific Ocean Arroyo Calabasas Caballero Creek Sherman Oaks Studio City Griffith Park Los Feliz Silver Lake Downtown A better habitat Wider channel design: Existing channel: Terraced channel design: Existing channel: It would have potential for 4.7% vegetation It would expand water 2% vegetation To cut its speed to about 8 100% vegetation. Path capacity and have 30% mph, thus protecting its banks Path vegetation potential. Bike path from erosion, some river water Bike would have to be diverted or the path channel would have to be much wider, impractical steps in many places. Here are two options: a wider channel and a terraced design. Culverts Culvert Recent regional explainer graphics are available at latimes.com/localgraphics Sources: Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Watershed Management Division, City of Los Angeles Sanitation District. Graphics reporting by Cheryl Brownstein-Santiago Lorena Iñiguez Los Angeles Times.