The Los Angeles River was encased in a concrete channel to protect lives and property. Councilman Dennis Zine’s idea of “bike paths, walkways and restaurants” will work out well as long as there is no flooding. We weren’t here then but the river has a history of flooding adjoining land. Here are some examples provided by The City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works web site.
1815–The original Plaza is washed away as the river overflows and changes course at Alameda and Fourth Street
1861-62–Heavy flooding. Fifty inches of rain falls during December and January. Much of San Fernando Valley is under water.
1884–Heavy flooding causes the river to change course again, turning east to Vernon and then southward to San Pedro. The Downtown section of the river is channelized.
1914–Heavy flooding. Great damage to the harbor. Public called for creation of the L.A. County Flood Control District and discussion of channelizing the river begins.
1934–Moderate flood starting January 1. Forty dead in La Canada.
1938–Great County-wide flood with 4 days of rain. Most rain on day 4. Red Cross said this was the 5th largest flood in history at that time with 113 lives lost, $40 million in damage ($360 million in 1994 dollars). Recorded as a 50 year storm. Public demands action. Army Corps of Engineers begins channelizing the river with 10,000 workers applying 3,000,000 barrels of concrete by hand.
1941 to 44–L.A.River floods five times.
1983–Flooding kills six people.
1994–Heavy flooding. Estimates range from a 15 to over a 100 year flood.
Coast Contact 