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El Dorado Nature Center 7550 E. Spring St. Long Beach CA 90815 (562) 570-1745

Sense of Place
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Historical
Context in the Region

Transformation of the land along the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers began with the arrival of settlers in the 18^th century. Densely vegetated wildlands were cleared, irrigated, and planted with grains and vegetables to feed the settlers. The arrival of the railroads and imported water facilitated a second transformation: the patchwork of farmland grew into a major urban metropolis. A third transformation is now possible. A network of open spaces, anchored by parkways along the rivers, can link sustainable communities together with trails, bike paths, and landscaped areas.

Over millions years, the San Gabriel and Los Angeles Rivers emerged from the San Gabriel Mountains and meandered towards the Pacific Ocean. As the mountains rose, they captured more rainfall, and the power of the rivers increased. Because of the steep slopes and rocky soils in the mountains, the rivers disappeared into the sand and replenished ground water. Due to low surface flows most of the years; the rivers appeared as meandering streams within wide beds. But when the winter rains arrived, these “streams” often jumped their banks, changed course, and flowed over the land.

The earliest Spanish explorers noted the dense vegetation and the presence of surface water. The confluence of the Arroyo Seco and the Los Angeles River was noted as especially verdant. Because water was available, the Mission San Gabriel de arcangelo was founded in1771, followed in 1781 by El Pueblo de nuestra senorala reina de los angees de porciuncula (which became the City of Los Angeles).

The arrival of settlers in the 18^th century began the first human-induced transformation of the double watershed. The dense vegetation surrounding the rivers was cleared to make way for farms and villages. The abundant water and favorable climate created ideal conditions for a variety of crops. Within a short time, the area became the center of agricultural production in Southern California. In little more than a century, the landscape along the rivers had changed significantly as floodplain became highly productive farmlands.

From the beginning, water was diverted from the rivers for people, livestock, and crops. Before long, because so much water was diverted, the rivers no longer reached the ocean. Increased opportunities for trade, and a growing population increased the demand for farmland and water, and the water on the surface of the rivers became inadequate to meet demand. Wells were dug to reach groundwater, and groundwater levels slowly began to drop at some levels.

During this first transformation from wildlands to farmlands, proximity to the river was important. But easy access to water was coupled with danger when winter rains swelled the rivers, or changed their course. The population lacked the knowledge and the means to control the rivers. Winter floods often washed dikes and dam away.

The arrival of the transcontinental railroads in 1876 provided access to distant markets, and agricultural production expanded greatly. The railroads also brought more people eager to share in the dream made possible by abundant sunshine, farmland, water, and business opportunities. Farmland was subdivided and homes where built. The influx of people continued. Surface and groundwater sources were in high demand, and groundwater tables began to drop throughout the area. The plentiful wetlands and marshes began to disappear. Areas that were once dense with vegetation became dry grasslands. Occasional droughts became a major concern as residents, farmers, and businesses competed for the limited water supply.

Because the population began to exceed available water resources, in 1913 the Los Angeles-Owens River Aqueduct was built, importing water from great distances. Moe and more farmland was subdivided and converted to commercial and residential uses. Once distant farm communities began to grow towards each other, and the once vast open spaces began to disappear. Urban sprawl covered lowlands and spread into the valleys and hillsides. The second transformation of the watershed, from farming communities to urban metropolis was just as swift as the first transformation.

During the second transformation, from farmland to urban metropolis, proximity to the river was less critical, but the danger from floods remained. Instead of crops and livestock; homes, businesses, and lives were lost. A variety of measures were employed to keep the rivers in their channels (or then current channels), but natural forces always prevailed. After two significant floods in the 1930’s, the federal government worked with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District to implement a flood control plan with three major components: (1) channelize, straighten, and deepen the rivers; (2) install debris basins in the foothills to protect against debris flows during storm events; and (3) construct dams in the mountains to impound storm runoff and controlled release of those waters. The Los Angeles River was encased in concrete for most of its length, and the San Gabriel River was surrounded by levees. The system protects lives and property from flooding, and speeds discharge of floodwaters into the Pacific Ocean.

The potential for a third transformation of the watersheds has emerged in the past decade, beginning with visions of “restoring” the Los Angeles River and implementing watershed management strategies. Individuals, groups, agencies, communities, and cities have developed plans to expand natural spaces along the river, establish riverfront walks or bike paths, and restore public access. These concepts have been expanded to include the San Gabriel River, as well as tributaries of both rivers, and planning on these issues is ongoing.