Editing Los Angeles River

{{short description|River in Los Angeles County, California, US}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox river
| name               = Los Angeles River
| native_name        = {{native name|xgf|Paayme Paxaayt}}
| name_other         = {{langx|es|Río de Los Ángeles}}
| name_etymology     =
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| image              = File:Los Angeles River from Fletcher Drive Bridge 2019.jpg
| image_caption      = L.A. River from Fletcher Drive Bridge
| image_size         = 300
| map                = LARmap.jpg
| map_size           = 300
| map_caption        = Map of the Los Angeles River watershed
| pushpin_map        =
| pushpin_map_size   =
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| mapframe           = yes
| mapframe-zoom      = 8
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| subdivision_type1  = Country
| subdivision_name1  = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type2  = State
| subdivision_name2  = [[California]]
| subdivision_type3  =
| subdivision_name3  =
| subdivision_type4  =
| subdivision_name4  =
| subdivision_type5  = Cities
| subdivision_name5  = [[Burbank, California|Burbank]], [[Glendale, California|Glendale]], [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[Downey, California|Downey]], [[Compton, California|Compton]], [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]]
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| length             = {{convert|47.9|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=NHD>U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. [http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329155652/http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ |date=2012-03-29 }}, accessed 2011-05-07</ref>
| width_min          =
| width_avg          =
| width_max          =
| depth_min          =
| depth_avg          =
| depth_max          =
| discharge1_location= [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]]<ref name="discharge"/>
| discharge1_min     = {{convert|2|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_avg     = {{convert|226|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}<ref name="discharge"/>
| discharge1_max     = {{convert|129000|cuft/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source1            = Confluence of [[Bell Creek (Southern California)|Bell Creek]] and [[Arroyo Calabasas]]
| source1_location   = [[Canoga Park]], [[San Fernando Valley]]
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|34|11|43|N|118|36|08|W|display=inline}}<ref name="GNIS">{{cite gnis|id=245154|name=Los Angeles River|entrydate=1981-01-19|access-date=2011-05-16}}</ref>
| source1_elevation  = {{convert|794|ft|abbr=on}}
| mouth              = [[Pacific Ocean]]
| mouth_location     = [[Port of Los Angeles|Los Angeles Harbor]], [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]]
| mouth_coordinates  = {{coord|33|45|23|N|118|11|20|W|display=inline,title}}<ref name="GNIS"/>
| mouth_elevation    = {{convert|0|ft|abbr=on}}
| progression        =
| river_system       =
| basin_size         = {{convert|827|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref name="discharge">{{cite web|url=http://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/monthly/?referred_module=sw&amp;site_no=11103000&amp;por_11103000_2=2207867,00060,2,1929-10,1992-09&amp;format=html_table&amp;date_format=YYYY-MM-DD&amp;rdb_compression=file&amp;submitted_form=parameter_selection_list|title=USGS Gage #11103000 on the Los Angeles River at Long Beach, CA|publisher=U.S. Geological Survey|work=National Water Information System|date=1929–1992|access-date=2011-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208050318/http://nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/monthly/?referred_module=sw&site_no=11103000&por_11103000_2=2207867,00060,2,1929-10,1992-09&format=html_table&date_format=YYYY-MM-DD&rdb_compression=file&submitted_form=parameter_selection_list|archive-date=2015-12-08|url-status=live}}</ref>
| tributaries_left   = [[Bell Creek (Southern California)|Bell Creek]], [[Browns Canyon Wash]], [[Aliso Creek (Los Angeles County)|Aliso Creek]], [[Tujunga Wash]], [[Verdugo Wash]], [[Arroyo Seco (Los Angeles County)|Arroyo Seco]], [[Rio Hondo (California)|Rio Hondo]]
| tributaries_right  = [[Arroyo Calabasas]], [[Compton Creek]]
| custom_label       =
| custom_data        =
| extra              = 
}}

The '''Los Angeles River''' ({{langx|es|Río de Los Ángeles}}), historically known as '''{{lang|xgf|Paayme Paxaayt}}''' {{gloss|West River}} by the [[Tongva]] and the '''{{lang|es|Río Porciúncula}}''' {{gloss|Porciúncula River}} by the Spanish, is a major river in [[Los Angeles County, California]]. Its [[headwaters]] are in the [[Simi Hills]] and [[Santa Susana Mountains]], and it flows nearly {{convert|51|mi|km}} from [[Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California|Canoga Park]] through the [[San Fernando Valley]], [[downtown Los Angeles]], and the [[Gateway Cities]] to its mouth in [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]], where it flows into [[San Pedro Bay (California)|San Pedro Bay]]. While the river was once free-flowing and frequently flooding, forming [[alluvial]] [[flood plains]] along its banks, it currently flows through a concrete channel on a fixed course, which was built after a series of devastating floods in the early 20th century.

Before the opening of the [[Los Angeles Aqueduct]], the river was the primary source of fresh water for the city. Although the Los Angeles region still receives some water from the river and other local sources, most of the water supply flows from several aqueducts serving the area. The Los Angeles River is heavily [[water pollution|polluted]] from [[Surface runoff#Agricultural issues|agricultural]] and [[urban runoff]].

Fed primarily by rainwater and snowmelt (in winter and spring), the [[Tillman Water Reclamation Plant|Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant]] in Van Nuys (in summer and fall), and urban discharge, it is one of the few low-elevation perennial rivers in Southern California. Some water usually reaches the ocean, even in the driest summers; although there are historical accounts of the river running dry, there has been constant flow of the river every month since recording of stream flow began in 1929.<ref name="discharge"/> This is helped by the concrete channel, which limits absorption of water into the earth. Flow, while generally low in volume, can be extremely brisk even in summer.

==Course==
[[File:Origin of the Los Angeles River in Canoga Park.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Arroyo Calabasas]] (left) and [[Bell Creek (Southern California)|Bell Creek]] (right) join to form the Los Angeles River]]
[[Image:Los-Angeles-River-near-downtown-Aerial-view-from-west-August-2014.jpg|thumb|200px|right|LA River near downtown LA during drought in 2014]]

The Los Angeles River's official beginning is at the confluence of two [[River engineering#Channelization|channelized]] streams – [[Bell Creek (Southern California)|Bell Creek]] and [[Arroyo Calabasas]] – in the [[Canoga Park, California|Canoga Park]] section of the city of Los Angeles, just east of [[California State Route 27]] (Topanga Canyon Boulevard), at {{Coord|34.1952|N|118.601838|W}} (the east side of [[Canoga Park High School]]). Bell Creek flows east from the [[Simi Hills]], and Arroyo Calabasas flows north from the [[Santa Monica Mountains]]. From there the river flows east through a concrete [[flood control]] channel and very soon receives [[Browns Canyon Wash]], which flows south from the [[Santa Susana Mountains]]. The river then bends slightly south and receives [[Aliso Creek (Los Angeles County)|Aliso Canyon Wash]], whose watershed adjoins that of Browns Canyon. The river then flows through the district of [[Winnetka, Los Angeles, California|Winnetka]], then [[Reseda, Los Angeles, California|Reseda]] and enters the Sepulveda Basin, a flood-control reservoir formed by the [[Sepulveda Dam]].<ref name=summary>{{cite web|url=http://www.tpl.org/content_documents/E01_losangeles.pdf|title=Los Angeles River|publisher=www.tpl.org|work=The Trust for Public Land|access-date=2009-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060303144447/http://www.tpl.org/content_documents/E01_losangeles.pdf|archive-date=2006-03-03}}</ref><ref name="google-maps">{{cite map |publisher=Google Maps |title=Map of the Los Angeles River |year=2009 |cartography=NAVTEQ |access-date=2009-08-20 |url=https://maps.google.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013184342/https://maps.google.com/ |archive-date=2014-10-13 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/headw.html |title=Urbanization spreads into the watershed of the Los Angeles River |publisher=www.urbanedpartnership.org |work=Urban Education Partnership |access-date=2009-08-20  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307065437/http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/headw.html |archive-date=March 7, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://seriss.com/people/erco/fovicks/|title=Friends Of Vast Industrial Concrete Kafkaesque Structures – Page 1|publisher=Seriss Corporation|access-date=2009-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321120835/http://seriss.com/people/erco/fovicks/|archive-date=2009-03-21|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:L.A. River Tujunga Wash under Colfax.jpg|thumb|Receiving the Tujunga Wash (right) in Studio City.]]

As the river proceeds into the usually-dry reservoir, it spills out into a channel that is similar to its historical, non-channeled form. It crosses under Balboa Boulevard and then receives [[Bull Creek (Los Angeles County)|Bull Creek]]. The river then passes through the [[Gatehouse (waterworks)|outlet works]] of Sepulveda Dam, {{convert|43|mi|km}} from the mouth. It flows again into a concrete channel and crosses under the [[Interstate 405 (California)|San Diego (405) Freeway]] as it passes through [[Van Nuys, California|Van Nuys]], [[Sherman Oaks, California|Sherman Oaks]], and [[Studio City, California|Studio City]], still flowing east. Paralleling [[U.S. Highway 101]] briefly, it then veers southeast, away from the highway, and receives from the left the [[Tujunga Wash]], one of its largest tributaries, which flows southwest and south from the [[Angeles National Forest]] in the [[San Gabriel Mountains]]. The river then rounds a bend to the northeast, now in a concrete box culvert, and crosses under the [[State Route 170 (California)|Hollywood (170) Freeway]] and Highway 101, and receives [[Burbank Western Channel]] on the left bank, {{convert|39|mi|km}} from the mouth.<ref name=summary/><ref name="google-maps"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/sp.html|title=Sepulveda Basin and Dam|publisher=www.urbanedpartnership.org|work=Urban Education Partnership|access-date=2009-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307065601/http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/sp.html|archive-date=2007-03-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://seriss.com/people/erco/fovicks/lar-3.html|title=Friends Of Vast Industrial Concrete Kafkaesque Structures – Page 3|publisher=Seriss Corporation|access-date=2009-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321103838/http://seriss.com/people/erco/fovicks/lar-3.html|archive-date=2009-03-21|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Los Angeles River Glendale.jpg|thumb|left|Looking east (downstream) at the Glendale Narrows. Unlike most of the river, this stretch has an earthen bottom.]]

The river then begins to parallel the [[California State Route 134|Ventura (134) Freeway]] as it winds through [[North Hollywood]] and the city of [[Burbank, California|Burbank]]. It then crosses under the [[Interstate 5 in California|Golden State (5) Freeway]] and makes a sharp bend to the south-southeast as it curves around [[Griffith Park]]. It receives from the left [[Verdugo Wash]], which drains much of [[La Cañada Flintridge]] and [[Glendale, California|Glendale]] as it flows from the San Gabriel Mountains south through a [[water gap]] in the [[Verdugo Mountains]], and crosses under the Ventura Freeway. Here, the river begins to flow over a natural riverbed, but enters another concrete section soon after. Paralleling the Golden State Freeway for the next few miles, the river runs by the eastern side of Griffith Park and the Harding-Wilson Golf Course. It passes [[Silver Lake Reservoir]], which is to the right, and crosses under the [[California State Route 2|Glendale (2) Freeway]], {{convert|32|mi|km}} from the mouth.<ref name=summary/><ref name="google-maps"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/vw.html|title=The Verdugo Wash Converges with the Los Angeles River|publisher=www.urbanedpartnership.org|work=Urban Education Partnership|access-date=2009-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070306081307/http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/vw.html|archive-date=2007-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/lf.html|title=The Los Feliz Area of the Los Angeles River|publisher=www.urbanedpartnership.org|work=Urban Education Partnership|access-date=2009-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102141317/http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/lf.html|archive-date=2007-01-02}}</ref><ref name=fovicks4>{{cite web|url=http://seriss.com/people/erco/fovicks/lar-4.html|title=Friends Of Vast Industrial Concrete Kafkaesque Structures – Page 4|publisher=Seriss Corporation|access-date=2009-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321121251/http://seriss.com/people/erco/fovicks/lar-4.html|archive-date=2009-03-21|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Dayton Avenue Bridge.jpg|thumb|right|Figueroa (Dayton Avenue) Bridge, showing the channelized river]]

Making two meanders as it flows in a southeasterly direction, the river parallels the interstate and [[Riverside Drive (Los Angeles, California)|Riverside Drive]] then crosses under the interstate and [[California State Route 110|Arroyo Seco (110) Parkway]] as it flows east of [[Elysian Park]]. It then receives the [[Arroyo Seco (Los Angeles County)|Arroyo Seco]], another major tributary, from the left. The river flows south past the Mission Junction, a large railroad yard on the left. It enters a wider concrete channel with sloped sides, and crosses under Cesar Chavez Avenue, the [[U.S. Route 101 in California|Hollywood (101) Freeway]], and the [[Interstate 10 in California|San Bernardino (10) Freeway]] as it passes east of [[downtown Los Angeles]], flowing past the [[East Los Angeles Interchange]] of the [[U.S. Route 101 in California|Santa Ana (101) Freeway]], [[California State Route 60|Pomona (60) Freeway]], and Interstates 5 and 10 on the left. It then makes a gradual turn east and then turns southeast, flowing a few miles before it begins to parallel the [[Interstate 710|Long Beach (710) Freeway]] near [[Maywood, California|Maywood]], [[Bell, California|Bell]], [[Cudahy, California|Cudahy]], and [[Commerce, California|Commerce]], {{convert|20|mi|km}} from the mouth.<ref name=summary/><ref name="google-maps"/><ref name=fovicks4/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/as.html|title=The Arroyo Seco Converges with the Los Angeles River|publisher=www.urbanedpartnership.org|work=Urban Education Partnership|access-date=2009-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307065425/http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/as.html|archive-date=2007-03-07}}</ref>

[[File:MTA los angeles river.jpg|thumb|left|The Los Angeles River's wider channel near the mouth with the famous [[Metro Transit Assassins|MTA tag]] that appeared in 2008 and was buffed in September 2009]]

Paralleling the Long Beach Freeway south-southwest, the river then crosses under former [[California State Route 42]] and the interstate as it receives the [[Rio Hondo (California)|Rio Hondo]] from the left, {{convert|9|mi|km}} from the mouth. The Rio Hondo ("deep river") now serves as a [[distributary]] for the [[San Gabriel River (California)|San Gabriel River]] to the east via the [[Whittier Narrows Reservoir]]. The river then crosses under the [[Interstate 105 (California)|Century (105) Freeway]] and shifts slightly southwest, then flows east of [[Compton, California|Compton]] and west of [[Bellflower, California|Bellflower]]. After crossing under the [[California State Route 91|Artesia (91) Freeway]], it receives [[Compton Creek]] from the right, {{convert|2.7|mi|km}} from the mouth. After crossing under Interstate 405 for the second time, {{convert|2|mi|km}} from the mouth, it draws close to the [[Dominguez Channel]] to the west and flows due south to its outlet in [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]], under Interstate 710, past the [[RMS Queen Mary|RMS ''Queen Mary'']], and into the [[Port of Long Beach]].<ref name=summary/><ref name="google-maps"/><ref name=fovicks4/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/rh.html|title=The Rio Hondo Converges with the Los Angeles River|publisher=www.urbanedpartnership.org|work=Urban Education Partnership|access-date=2009-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307065550/http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/rh.html|archive-date=2007-03-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/lb.html|title=Long Beach and the Mouth of the Los Angeles River|publisher=Urban Education Partnership|access-date=2009-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307065518/http://www.urbanedpartnership.org/target/units/river/tour/lb.html|archive-date=2007-03-07}}</ref>

==History==<!-- This section is linked from [[Los Angeles, California]] -->

[[File:Los Angeles River at Griffith Park, ca.1898-1910 (CHS-2033).jpg|thumb|left|Los Angeles River at Griffith Park, {{circa}} 1898–1910]]

Until the opening of the [[Los Angeles Aqueduct]] in 1913, the Los Angeles River was the main water source for the [[Los Angeles Basin]]. The river ran dry during the summers and flooded during winter months. Indigenous communities adapted to the climate surrounding the river, maximizing agricultural yields by rerouting the natural flow of the river and constructing water wheels along the river.<ref name=":3" />

The river provided water and food to the [[Tongva people]], hunters and gatherers who lived primarily off [[fish]], small [[mammal]]s, and the [[acorn]]s from the abundant [[oak]] trees along the river's path. There were at least 45 Tongva villages near the Los Angeles River, concentrated in the San Fernando Valley and the Elysian Valley, in what is present-day Glendale.<ref name="Linton2005">{{cite book |author=Joe Linton |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x17EIPKubCUC&pg=PA5 |title=Down By the Los Angeles River: Friends of the Los Angeles Rivers Official Guide |date=14 October 2005 |publisher=Wilderness Press |isbn=978-0-89997-391-3 |page=5 |access-date=7 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704132351/http://books.google.com/books?id=x17EIPKubCUC&pg=PA5 |archive-date=4 July 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> After the Spanish established [[Mission San Gabriel]] in 1771, they referred to the Tongva living in that mission's vicinity as [[Gabrieleño]].

=== Alta California ===
{{See also|Alta California}}
In 1769, members of the [[Portolá expedition]] to explore [[Alta California]] were the first Europeans to see the river. On August 15, the party camped near the river, somewhere along the stretch just to the north of what is now the [[Interstate 10]] crossing near downtown Los Angeles. Fray [[Juan Crespi]], one of two [[Franciscan]] missionaries traveling with Portolá, named it ''el río de Nuestra Señora La Reina de Los Ángeles de Porciúncula''. Crespi chose that name, because August 15 is the date of the yearly Catholic [[feast day]] in honor of the [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Virgin Mary's]] Assumption into Heaven and assuming the [[Titles of Mary|role]] as Queen of the Angels, to which the small [[Portiuncula]] chapel, where the Franciscan Order began in [[Assisi|Assisi, Italy]], is dedicated. The river was thereafter referred to as the "Porciuncula River". In later years, the "Los Angeles" part of Crespi's lengthy name won out.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bolton |first=Herbert E. |pages=146–147 |year=1927 |title=Fray Juan Crespi: Missionary Explorer on the Pacific Coast, 1769–1774 |url=http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000288788 |publisher=HathiTrust Digital Library |access-date=6 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322103835/http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000288788 |archive-date=2014-03-22 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Ed Hunt crossing the L.A. River on horse in 1911 (00008087).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|right|Ed Hunt, Griffith Park policeman, in the Los Angeles River, 1911]]

=== Possession by the United States ===
{{See also|Mexican–American War|California statehood}}
Control of California, along with the rest of the northern part of the republic of Mexico, was wrested by the United States in the [[Mexican–American War|Mexican-American War]] (1846-1848). California became a state in 1850, and the Los Angeles area began to boom the following year.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The Los Angeles River |url=https://www.theriverproject.org/learn/the-los-angeles-river-watershed |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=The River Project |language=en-US}}</ref> Generations of settlers and city managers drained, rerouted, polluted and overpopulated the river and its watershed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-25 |title=Efforts to Restore the Los Angeles River Collide With a Gentrifying City |url=https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2018-4-july-august/feature/efforts-restore-los-angeles-river-California-collide-gentrifying-city |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=Sierra Club |language=en}}</ref>

The river was originally an [[alluvial]] river that ran freely across a [[flood plain]] that is now occupied by Los Angeles, Long Beach, and other townships in [[Southern California]]. Its path was unstable and unpredictable, and the mouth of the river moved frequently from one place to another between Long Beach and Ballona Creek. Floods damaged extensive amounts of farmland, destroying houses and killing people and livestock. Severe flooding encouraged those living near the river to adapt and construct further away from the river in order to prevent loss from flooding.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Price |first=Jenny |date=2008-07-01 |title=Remaking American Environmentalism: On the Banks of the L.A. River |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/envhis/13.3.536 |journal=Environmental History |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=536–555 |doi=10.1093/envhis/13.3.536 |issn=1084-5453}}</ref> In the early 19th century, the river turned southwest after leaving the [[Glendale Narrows]], where it joined [[Ballona Creek]] and discharged into [[Santa Monica Bay]] in present Marina del Rey.<ref name="LAT 2022-03-01">{{Cite news |last=Morrison |first=Patt |date=2022-03-01 |title=Why we turned the L.A. River into a freeway (for water) |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-03-01/why-we-turned-the-la-river-into-a-freeway-for-water |access-date=2022-03-02 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> However, this account is challenged by Col. J. J. Warner, in his ''Historical Sketch of Los Angeles County'':<blockquote>"...until 1825 it was seldom, if in any year, that the river discharged even during the rainy season its waters into the sea. Instead of having a river way to the sea, the waters spread over the country, filling the depressions in the surface and forming lakes, ponds and marshes. The river water, if any, that reached the ocean drained off from the land at so many places, and in such small volumes, that no channel existed until the flood of 1825, which, by cutting a river way to tide water, drained the marsh land and caused the forests to disappear."<ref>{{Cite web|title = Full text of "A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present"|url = https://archive.org/stream/historyofcaliforsccts01guin/historyofcaliforsccts01guin_djvu.txt|website = archive.org|access-date = 2015-07-10|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160407004905/https://archive.org/stream/historyofcaliforsccts01guin/historyofcaliforsccts01guin_djvu.txt|archive-date = 2016-04-07|url-status = live}}</ref></blockquote>The river was long joined by the [[San Gabriel River (California)|San Gabriel River]] in present-day [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]], but in the [[Great Flood of 1862]], the San Gabriel carved out a new course {{convert|6|mi|km}} to the east, and has discharged into [[Alamitos Bay]] ever since. The arrival of the railroad accelerated the advancement in urbanization, as various government bodies subdued the river by reducing its flow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HISTORY OF THE LOS ANGELES RIVER |url=https://ladpw.org/wmd/watershed/LA/History.cfm |access-date=2022-02-23 |website=ladpw.org}}</ref> Until the 1900s the river was known to supply enough water to incorporate a system of wells to be built in order to supply freshwater to the city.

=== 20th century ===
[[File:Los Angeles District - Los Angeles River Subproject No. 129 - E.R.A. and Regular Funds - Hired Labor - Taken April... - NARA - 295356 -enhanced.jpg|thumb|Placing of concrete in a section of the counterforted channel wall on the left bank just above 26th Street in the city of Los Angeles, 1938.]]

The [[Los Angeles Aqueduct]] was opened in 1913.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Deverell William & |first=Sitton Tom |title=Water and Los Angeles: A Tale of Three Rivers, 1900-1941 |publisher=University of California Press |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-520-96597-3}}</ref> The heavy flow of the Los Angeles River presented many issues, as it began to get exploited as a sewer system. Along with these uses, populations surrounding the river often tossed feces and waste into the river, along with dead dogs and horses (and the occasional dead human), in hopes that they would get washed down stream and released to the open ocean waters.<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal |last1=Post |first1=Jason Michael |last2=Carter |first2=Perry |title=Unnatural Nature: Anglers Reimaginings of the Los Angeles River as Parkland |date=2022-03-15 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00167428.2020.1866953 |journal=Geographical Review |language=en |volume=112 |issue=2 |pages=207–227 |doi=10.1080/00167428.2020.1866953 |bibcode=2022GeoRv.112..207P |s2cid=234133066 |issn=0016-7428}}</ref>

=== War on Water Rights ===
{{Further|California water wars}}
In the early 1920s, the [[Los Angeles Department of Water and Power]] (led by the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners) negotiated and gradually purchased almost all of [[Owens Valley]] farms and their corresponding water rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilkman |first=Jon |date=2016 |title=Floodpath |url=https://openlibrary.org/works/OL20018474W/Floodpath |pages=72–75 |language=en}}</ref> The farmers with the most water banded together to form the Owens Valley Irrigation District in order to try to secure a better deal. When the Owens Valley Irrigation District did not succeed, they created three smaller groups in order to try to bargain. These groups were turbulent in their efforts; resorting to violence, trying to get the attention of state and national press, and calling for politician interference to support their demands for more compensation. This conflict was so highly disputed that the national press referred to it as "California's Little Civil War."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Libecap |first=Gary D. |date=2009-10-01 |title=Chinatown Revisited: Owens Valley and Los Angeles—Bargaining Costs and Fairness Perceptions of the First Major Water Rights Exchange |journal=The Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=311–338 |doi=10.1093/jleo/ewn006 |issn=8756-6222}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=Kahrl |first1=William L |title=Water & power: the conflict over Los Angeles' water supply in the Owens Valley |publisher=University of California Press |year=1983 |isbn=978-0-520-05068-6 |language=English |oclc=234289861}}</ref>

The [[St. Francis Dam]] was built starting in 1924 (and through 1926), leading to the creation of a large reservoir in [[San Francisquito Canyon]], and provided water for Los Angeles. The dam collapsed in 1928.
[[File:1938 Los Angeles flood in North Hollywood (9).jpg|thumb|Los Angeles flood in North Hollywood in 1938]]
The 1930s in particular saw rapid urban development in areas prone to river flooding.<ref name=":1" /> Despite smaller mitigation efforts than the St. Francis Dam, unpredictable and devastating floods continued to plague it well into the 1930s, including:
* [[Crescenta Valley flood (1933 and 1934)]] - a flood on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day devastated the communities of [[La Crescenta-Montrose, California|La Crescenta, Montrose]], [[La Cañada Flintridge, California|La Cañada]], and [[Tujunga, California|Tujunga]].
* [[Los Angeles Flood of 1938]] - This flood precipitated the recall of then-mayor of Los Angeles [[Frank L. Shaw]], leading to calls for flood control measures.

The incidents resulted in the [[US Army Corps of Engineers]] beginning an ambitious project of encasing the river's bed and banks in [[concrete]].<ref name=splhist>{{cite web
| url = https://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/477249/the-la-river-and-the-corps-a-brief-history/
| title = The LA River and the Corps: A brief history
| publisher = U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
| access-date = 2014-03-08
| url-status = live
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140308203118/http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Media/NewsStories/tabid/1318/Article/18853/the-la-river-and-the-corps-a-brief-history.aspx
| archive-date = 2014-03-08
}}</ref> The only portions of the river that are not paved over are in the flood-control basin behind the [[Sepulveda Dam]] near [[Van Nuys, Los Angeles|Van Nuys]]; an 11-mile (17.7-km) stretch east of [[Griffith Park]] known as the [[Glendale Narrows]]; and along its last few miles in Long Beach.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}}

=== After World War II ===
The river was dry for nine months of the year as late as the 1950s. According to an August 2013 article in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', the water in the river today is largely "industrial and residential discharge," which originates from the "two giant pipes that collect the sewage from the homes of 800,000 San Fernando Valley residents" that lead to the [[Tillman Water Reclamation Plant]], "before crashing over a man-made waterfall into Lake Balboa. That body of water, along with two smaller ones, puts 23 million gallons of water a day into the river at Sepulveda Basin."<ref>{{Cite news
| last = Smith
| first = Doug
| quote = Angelenos' vision of their river is created from a made-up memory. Historically, the river has been dry for most of the year. Now, it flows continually, but most of the water in the channel is industrial and residential discharge |date=2013-08-16|title=Angelenos' vision of their river is created from a made-up memory|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-smith-river-20130816-story.html|access-date=2022-02-02|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:2021-10-05 14 20 34 View southwest along the Los Angeles River and Interstate 710 towards the Port of Long Beach in southern Los Angeles County, California from an airplane heading toward Los Angeles International Airport.jpg|thumb|LA River in October 2021]]
Despite the heavy flood flows of the river during winter months, the LA river has become a refuge for marginalized communities, such as migrant, homeless, and diverse sociocultural communities. For a time, the river itself was a geographical divide between East L.A., which is largely Latino, and predominantly white, wealthy West L.A.<ref name=":02"/> These minority groups established themselves along the banks of the river, using fish for food. A distinguished link between the LA river and marginalization can be seen through time as a 1909 New York Times article describes these communities as poor transient communities that consume diseased fish to sustain themselves.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Remediation efforts in order to tame the river along with the construction of highways in the 1950s and 1960s displaced hundreds of thousands of individuals. These implications lead to poor air quality and increased exposure to diseases that inhibit good health.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-11 |title=Frank Gehry's bold plan to upgrade the L.A. River seeks to atone for past injustices |url=https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2021-01-11/frank-gehry-plan-los-angeles-river |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Points of interest==
[[Sepulveda Basin]] is a flood-control basin to manage floodwater runoff. Except for infrequent but dramatic flood episodes, this dry-land flood control basin, most of which is leased from the Corps by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, plays host to diverse uses today including athletic fields, agriculture, golf courses, a fishing lake, parklands, a sewage treatment facility, and a wildlife reserve.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laparks.org/dos/horticulture/sepulvedabasin.htm|title=Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve|work=City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks|access-date=November 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120010927/http://www.laparks.org/dos/horticulture/sepulvedabasin.htm|archive-date=November 20, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:RiverfrontParkLARiver.jpg|thumb|Bike path gate at Riverfront Park]]
The [[Los Angeles River bicycle path]] runs through the [[Glendale Narrows]] and is accessible to the public at its north end at Riverside Drive, at Los Feliz Boulevard, and at its south end at Glendale Boulevard, Fletcher Drive and at Egret Park in Elysian Valley.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zJWecMMoVNe8.kwLd_XBnOB84&hl=en_US|title=Bicycling – Glendale Narrows / Elysian Valley Bike Path |work=google.com |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/fieldguides/lariver/biking/bicycling---glendale-narrows-elysian-valley-bike-path.html|title=Glendale Narrow and Elysian Valley Path|work=KCET|date=March 24, 2011 |access-date=October 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017045857/http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/fieldguides/lariver/biking/bicycling---glendale-narrows-elysian-valley-bike-path.html|archive-date=October 17, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The bike path runs parallel to the 5 freeway for the majority of its length and has mile markers and call boxes for information and safety purposes.

[[Rio de Los Angeles State Park]] is north of downtown [[Los Angeles]] in the neighborhood of [[Cypress Park]] on the east bank of the river. The {{convert|247|acre|km2|adj=on}} park includes restored [[wetland]]s featuring native plants as well as recreational activities.<ref>Bustillo, Miguel (August 14, 2003) [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-aug-14-me-parks14-story.html "Accord Brings Soccer Fields to Urban Park"]  ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''</ref>

The river's southern stretch forms the heart of an industrial corridor, stretching nearly unbroken from [[Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, California|Lincoln Heights]] to [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]]. In this area, the busy [[Long Beach Freeway]] ([[Interstate 710 (California)|I-710]]) and several high-voltage power lines run within a few hundred feet of the riverbed. Several [[rail yard]]s are located along the river's banks in this stretch, as well.<ref>Rail yards along the lower Los Angeles River:
* Metrolink Central Maintenance Facility<br>{{Coord|34.0880035539306|-118.22728895946204|display=inline|name=Metrolink Central Maintenance Facility}}
* Metro Gold Line Shops & Yard<br>{{Coord|34.07642059163571|-118.22660539187798|display=inline|name=Metro Gold Line Shops & Yard}}
* Union Pacific LATC Intermodal Facility<br>{{Coord|34.0602962980645|-118.22077100407486|display=inline|name=Union Pacific LATC Intermodal Facility}}
* Metrolink Keller Street Yard<br>{{Coord|34.05422528320008|-118.22868888888159|display=inline|name=Metrolink Keller Street Yard}}
* Metrolink Division 20 Maintenance Yard<br>{{Coord|34.04340578299253|-118.23098291129095|display=inline|name=Metrolink}}
* Amtrak 8th Street Yard<br>{{Coord|34.02270174173927|-118.2253063923642|display=inline|name=Amtrak 8th Street Yard}}
* BNSF LA Intermodal Terminal<br>{{Coord|34.00979184340907|-118.19708599736272|display=inline|name=BNSF LA Intermodal Terminal}}
* Long Beach Container Terminal Pier F Yard<br>{{Coord|33.75934553362887|-118.20690273211869|display=inline|name=}}</ref>
Just outside the industrial corridor lie some of the most densely populated cities in the state of California, such as the cities of [[Bell, California|Bell]], [[Bell Gardens, California|Bell Gardens]], [[Cudahy, California|Cudahy]], [[Maywood, California|Maywood]] and [[South Gate, California|South Gate]]; most of these cities are in the river's flood plain and experienced significant flooding prior to [[River engineering#Channelization|channelization]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2015}}

===River parks===
List of parks, trails and bike paths adjacent to the L.A. River and tributaries:
* [[Glendale Narrows Elysian Valley Bike Path]]
* [[North Valleyheart Riverwalk]]
* [[Griffith Park]]
* [[Arroyo Seco Bike Path]] and [[Kenneth Newell Bikeway]]
* [[LARIO]]
* [[Tujunga Wash Greenway]]
* [[Browns Creek Bike Path]]
* [[Whittier Narrows Recreation Area]]
* [[Rio Hondo Bike Path]]
* [[Hahamongna Watershed Park]]
* [[Cudahy River Park]]<ref name="luskin">{{cite book|
last1= Pasillas |first1= Andrew |last2 = Tran |first2               = Jimmy |last3 = Robertson |first3 = Cameron |editor-last1         = Jessup |editor-first1 = Kelsey
 |editor-last2  = Callahan
 |editor-first2 = Colleen
 |editor-last3 = Burstein
 |editor-first3 = Mara Elana
| editor-last4 = DeShazo
 |editor-first4 = J.R.
 |title  = Creating a Complete Los Angeles Greenway for All: Stories and Guidance
 |url                  = https://innovation.luskin.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Creating_a_Complete_LA_River_Greenway_for_All.pdf
 |publisher = UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation
 |publication-date     = 2016-09-01
 }}</ref>
* [[Marsh Park]]<ref name="luskin" />
* [[Sunnynook River]]<ref name="luskin" />
* [[Maywood Riverfront Park]]<ref name="luskin" />
* [[Zev Yaroslavsky L.A. River Greenway Trail]]<ref name="luskin" />
* [[Los Angeles Riverfront Park and Pathway]]<ref name="luskin" />
* [[Los Angeles River Center and Gardens]]
{{incomplete list|date=August 2022}}

==Wildlife==
[[File:Los Angeles River Anas platyrhynchos crop.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mallard]]s on the river]]

Historically, the native species of fish in the Los Angeles River included [[steelhead trout|rainbow/steelhead trout]] (''Oncorhynchus mykiss''), [[Macrobrachium ohione|river shrimp]], [[Chinook salmon]] (''Oncorhynchus tshawytscha''), [[Sacramento pikeminnow]] (''Ptychocheilus grandis''), [[Pacific lamprey]], [[three-spined stickleback]], and [[Santa Ana sucker]]. In 1877 [[Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria]] published a book about his 1876 visit to Los Angeles, entitled ''Los Angeles in Südcalifornien. Eine Blume aus dem goldenen Land'' (''Los Angeles in Southern California. A Flower from the Golden Land'') which included a description of the fish in the Los Angeles River: "the salmon, Quinnat salmon (Salmo quinnat), abundant between November and June; two kinds of trout, the brook trout (Salar iridea); and the salmon trout (Ptychocheilus grandis)." These three species are known today as the Chinook salmon, steelhead/rainbow trout, and Sacramento pikeminnow.<ref>{{cite book |title=Los Angeles in the Sunny Seventies. A Flower from the Golden Land |author=Ludwig Salvator |author2=Marguerite Eyer Wilbur |year=1929 |publisher=B. McCallister, J. Zeitlin |page=188}}</ref> The native species of the Los Angeles River were extirpated by the conversion of the natural riverbed into a concrete trapezoidal channel in 1938. The last known native species to be caught in the river was a rainbow trout in 1940 by a local fisherman.<ref name="LAT 2020-10-05">{{Cite news|last=Sahagún|first=Louis|date=2020-10-05|title=Steelhead trout in the L.A. River? These experts envision a fish passage through downtown|url=https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2020-10-05/conservationists-want-to-build-a-fish-passage-through-downtown-los-angeles-for-steelhead-trout|access-date=2020-10-06|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

There is an abundance today of non-native fish species in the Los Angeles River which include [[common carp]], [[largemouth bass]], [[tilapia]], [[green sunfish]], [[Pterygoplichthys pardalis|Amazon sailfin catfish]], [[bluegill]], [[black bullhead]], [[brown bullhead]], [[channel catfish]], [[fathead minnow]], [[crayfish]], and [[mosquito fish]]. However, [[Arroyo chub]], which was once thought gone since the channelization, has made small appearances throughout parts of the Los Angeles River, Most recent being in the area of Balboa Lake/Anthony C. Beilenson Park in the surrounding channels such as Bull Creek, Woodley Creek and around the creeks and main body of the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve.

There is also a large variety of bird species in the Los Angeles River which include [[snowy egret]],<ref name="folar.org">{{cite web|url=http://folar.org/river-wildlife/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714014626/http://folar.org/river-wildlife/|archive-date=July 14, 2015|title=River Wildlife|work=Friends of the Los Angeles River|access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> [[great egret]],<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book |last=Linton |first=Joe |title=Down By the Los Angeles River: Friends of the Los Angeles Rivers Official Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x17EIPKubCUC&q=great+egret+glendale+narrows&pg=PA42 |access-date=October 25, 2015 |date=October 14, 2005 |publisher=Wilderness Press |isbn=978-0-89997-391-3 |page=42 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629164251/https://books.google.com/books?id=x17EIPKubCUC&pg=PA42&lpg=PA42&dq=great+egret+glendale+narrows&source=bl&ots=vLdctEr8Tn&sig=8A09WUZK4wZeVAmUlSgqQ5OkBVQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CE0Q6AEwCWoVChMIoq-W8KiWxwIVxO6ACh0eCAaz#v=onepage&q=great%20egret%20glendale%20narrows&f=false |archive-date=June 29, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[black-necked stilt]],<ref name="folar.org"/> [[great blue heron]],<ref name="folar.org"/><ref name="books.google.com"/> [[green heron]],<ref name="folar.org"/> [[mallard]],<ref name="folar.org"/> [[cinnamon teal]],<ref name="folar.org"/> [[American coot]],<ref name="folar.org"/><ref name="books.google.com"/> [[Muscovy duck]],<ref name="folar.org"/> [[American white pelican|white pelican]], [[Canada goose]], [[osprey]], [[Columbidae|California high desert mourning dove]], [[black-chinned hummingbird]], [[American barn owl|barn owl]], and [[red tailed hawk]].<ref name="books.google.com"/> All of these species either nest or live off of the resources of the river.
Before the river's channelization the river supported a variety of mammals which included the [[California golden bear]] (removed 1897), [[grey wolf]] (removed 1890s), [[coyote]], [[mule deer]], and [[North American beaver]].

There is indirect evidence that [[North American beaver]] (''Castor canadensis'') were native to the river, as the Beñemé ([[Mojave River|Mojave]]) and Jeniguechi ([[San Jacinto Mountains|San Jacinto]] branch of the [[Cahuilla]]) Indians of the [[Mission San Gabriel Arcángel|San Gabriel Mission]] were described by Father Pedro Font on the second [[de Anza Expedition]] in 1776, "The costume of the men in heathendom is total nakedness, while the women wear a bit of deer skin with which they cover themselves, and likewise an occasional cloak of beaver or rabbit skin, although the fathers endeavor to clothe the converted Indians with something as best they can."<ref>{{cite book |title=Expanded Diary of Pedro Font |author=Pedro Font |year=1776 |url=http://anza.uoregon.edu/Action.lasso?-database=fontex&-layout=standard&-op=eq&pg2=99&-response=format/fontexpg2fmt.html&-maxRecords=1000&-noresultserror=/sorry.html&-search |access-date=2011-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717201356/http://anza.uoregon.edu/Action.lasso?-database=fontex&-layout=standard&-op=eq&pg2=99&-response=format%2Ffontexpg2fmt.html&-maxRecords=1000&-noresultserror=%2Fsorry.html&-search |archive-date=2011-07-17  }}</ref> The [[Tongva people|Tongva]] or Gabrieleño Indians of Mission San Gabriel had a word for beaver ''To-le-vah-che''.<ref>{{cite book |title=The First Angelinos: The Gabrielino Indians of Los Angeles |author=William McCawley |year=1996 |publisher=Ballena Press |isbn=978-0-9651016-0-8 |page=304 }}</ref>

==Revitalization==
[[File:Elysian Valley River Recreation Zone 2014 fishing.jpg|thumb|People fishing in the Elysian Valley River Recreation Zone, 2014]]

The ongoing efforts to revitalize the river began in earnest in approximately 2002. A number of city and county departments, committees and non-profit organizations have led the revitalization efforts. Since the 1938 floods and the subsequent concreting of the river channel, actual restoration of the River to its natural state is no longer possible or necessarily desirable, in most of the 51 mile river, lest new flooding occur.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sahagún|first=Louis|date=2021-01-11|title=Frank Gehry's bold plan to upgrade the L.A. River seeks to atone for past injustices|url=https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2021-01-11/frank-gehry-plan-los-angeles-river|access-date=2021-01-14|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|quote="We studied the river upside and down and found that less than 2% of the time it runs very fast and is very dangerous," he said. "So, we thought if we can't get rid of the concrete, maybe we can cover it."}}</ref>

Studies in the 1980s included a freeway to be used during the dry season to alleviate traffic congestion, and use as a path for hovercraft.<ref>GRAD, SHELBY and SCOTT HARRISON [https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-transportation-utopia-20161031-htmlstory.html The long, tortured journey to bring rail back to Los Angeles]. Los Angeles Times, November 1, 2016</ref>

In 2011, the creation of the L.A. River Recreation Zone legalized recreational use in the area.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Post |first1=Jason Michael |last2=Carter |first2=Perry |date=2022-03-15 |title=Unnatural Nature: Anglers Reimaginings of the Los Angeles River as Parkland |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00167428.2020.1866953 |journal=Geographical Review |volume=112 |issue=2 |pages=207–227 |doi=10.1080/00167428.2020.1866953 |bibcode=2022GeoRv.112..207P |s2cid=234133066 |issn=0016-7428}}</ref> Since then, there have been countless projects to restore recreational use, including a 2.5 mile section of the Glendale Narrows that opened to the public for unrestricted recreational use between [[Memorial Day]] and [[Labor Day]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web
|last=Martinez
|first=Michael and Hannah Button
|title=At last, Los Angeles River opens to public recreation after 80 years
|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/01/travel/los-angeles-river/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
|work=CNN
|date=June 2013
|publisher=Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
|access-date=2 June 2013
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608154150/http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/01/travel/los-angeles-river/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
|archive-date=8 June 2013
|url-status=live
}}</ref> In May 2014 it was announced that two sections of the river would again be open for recreational use during the summer.<ref>{{cite web
| url        = http://www.lariverrecreation.org/LA_River_Recreation/home.html
| title      = Los Angeles River Recreation Zone – Summer 2014
| date       = May 2014
| website    = Los Angeles River Recreation Program
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140524184010/http://www.lariverrecreation.org/LA_River_Recreation/home.html
| archive-date= 2014-05-24
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url        = https://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Releases/Article/484975/corps-opens-recreational-boating-program-at-sepulveda/
| title      = Corps opens recreational boating program at Sepulveda
| date       = 23 May 2014
| website    = US Army Corps of Engineers
| url-status = live
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140524053903/http://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Media/NewsReleases/tabid/1319/Article/484975/corps-opens-recreational-boating-program-at-sepulveda.aspx
| archive-date= 2014-05-24
}}</ref>

[[File:Elysian Valley River Recreation Zone 2014 sign.jpg|thumb|left|Sign at the northern access point of the Elysian Valley River Recreation Zone cautioning against contact with water]]

The Los Angeles City Council formed an ad hoc committee in 2002 to focus on accessing and revitalizing the river that was chaired by Councilmember Ed Reyes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://lariver.org/milestones |title=Milestones |access-date=2019-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231010737/http://lariver.org/milestones |archive-date=2019-12-31 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[California Coastal Conservancy]], a state agency, published its Los Angeles River Park and Recreation Study in 1993, identifying potential projects along the river. In 2006, Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa visited [[South Korea]] to look at their river restoration project for the [[Cheonggyecheon]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-oct-17-me-chinatrip17-story.html|title=Seoul's Stream a 'Vision' for L.A.|date=2006-10-17|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2018-12-15|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309060517/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/oct/17/local/me-chinatrip17|archive-date=2016-03-09|url-status=live}}</ref>

As a result of the Ad Hoc River Committee's efforts, and with funding from the [[Los Angeles Department of Water and Power]], the City of Los Angeles' Department of Public Works - Bureau of Engineering issued a request for proposals in 2005 for the preparation of a Revitalization Master Plan, which would identify proposals that would make the Los Angeles River a "front door" to the city, and support civic activities. The city's Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan was adopted in 2007.

One of the key recommendations made by the master plan was the establishment of a non-profit development corporation, with a board appointed by the then Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and certain members of L.A. City Council, to carry out many of its recommended projects. In September 2009, the first board meeting of the LA River Revitalization Corporation was held. Startup funding was provided by the CRA. Harry B. Chandler was elected first chair of the board, and Omar Brownson was hired in 2010 to be the founding executive director. The first development project undertaken by LARRC was creating a public-private partnership to create the first pedestrian, bike and equestrian bridge across the river. Developer Mort La Kretz provided the seed financing for the bridge, which was built next to the 5 freeway in the Elysian Valley by the Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering and completed in 2020.

On July 23, 2013, the LARRC announced a goal of completing a continuous 51-mile (82&nbsp;km) greenway and bike path along the river by the end of the decade.<ref name="Hawthorne">{{cite news |author= Christopher Hawthorne |title= Ambitious goal for L.A. River: Continuous 51-mile path by 2020 |url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-los-angeles-river-revitalization-greenway-20130723,0,7295363.story |work= Los Angeles Times |date= 2013-07-23 |access-date= 2013-07-25 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130725034413/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-los-angeles-river-revitalization-greenway-20130723,0,7295363.story |archive-date= 2013-07-25 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-la-river-gehry-20160613-snap-story.html|title=Frank Gehry's controversial L.A. River plan gets cautious, low-key rollout|date=2016-06-18|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2017-07-27|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801000404/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-la-river-gehry-20160613-snap-story.html|archive-date=2017-08-01|url-status=live}}</ref> The path is envisioned to be the central focus of a linear recreational park as well as providing an alternative transportation path through Los Angeles.<ref name="Hawthorne2">{{cite news |author= Christopher Hawthorne |title= L.A. River advocates wait for watershed Army Corps study |url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-la-river-notebook-20130724,0,6530579.story |work= Los Angeles Times |date= 2013-07-24 |access-date= 2013-07-25 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130725001437/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-la-river-notebook-20130724,0,6530579.story |archive-date= 2013-07-25 |url-status= live }}</ref>

The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' first reported in 2015 that the renowned architect [[Frank Gehry]] was collaborating with the LARRC (whose name was changed to River LA).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-la-river-frank-gehry-20150807-story.html |title=Exclusive: Architect Frank Gehry is helping L.A. With its Los Angeles River master plan, but secrecy troubles some |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 8, 2015 |access-date=2019-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216192603/https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-la-river-frank-gehry-20150807-story.html |archive-date=2019-12-16 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, Gehry Partners and River LA produced an informational database on the River known as the LA River Index.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-la-river-gehry-20160613-snap-story.html|title=Frank Gehry's controversial L.A. River plan gets cautious, low-key rollout|date=2016-06-18|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2017-07-31|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801000404/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-la-river-gehry-20160613-snap-story.html|archive-date=2017-08-01|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, the County of Los Angeles opted to update their River Masterplan. Geosyntec was hired to lead the effort, with Gehry Partners, RiverLA and [[OLIN]] taking on additional responsibilities. In 2019, Gehry revealed to Alta Magazine that he is working on designing several projects along the River, including a cultural center in Southgate.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://altaonline.com/frank-gehrys-most-ambitious-project/ |title=The Los Angeles River: Frank Gehry's Most Ambitious Project |date=October 23, 2019 |access-date=2019-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231004157/https://altaonline.com/frank-gehrys-most-ambitious-project/ |archive-date=2019-12-31 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On September 13, 2013, the Army Corps of Engineers recommended a $453 million plan to restore nearly 600 acres of wildlife habitat – much of that located between Griffith Park and Lincoln Heights – as the best option to restore the river's ecosystem while preserving the flood protection provided by the concrete encasement. Subsequently, all Federal funding for the plan has been on hold.<ref>{{cite news |title= Army of Corps of Engineers backs $453 million plan to restore L.A. River |url= http://www.theeastsiderla.com/2013/09/army-of-corps-of-engineers-backs-453-million-plan-to-restore-the-l-a-river |publisher= The Eastsider |date= 2013-09-13 |access-date= 2015-06-02 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150602231053/http://www.theeastsiderla.com/2013/09/army-of-corps-of-engineers-backs-453-million-plan-to-restore-the-l-a-river/ |archive-date= 2015-06-02 |url-status= live }}</ref> In early 2016, there was some dispute as to federal funding for river cleanup after winter storms.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.capitalgazette.com/la-me-ln-county-el-nino-preparation-20160105-story.html |title=Funding for Los Angeles River cleanup in doubt as el Niño begins - Capital Gazette |access-date=2019-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003010958/https://www.capitalgazette.com/la-me-ln-county-el-nino-preparation-20160105-story.html |archive-date=2019-10-03 |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of Proposition 68 in California in June 2018, later that year, grants were given for the cleanup of invasive plants along part of the river.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.uscannenbergmedia.com/2018/10/22/new-funds-flow-into-the-los-angeles-river/ |title=New funds flow into the Los Angeles River |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=2019-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003010958/http://www.uscannenbergmedia.com/2018/10/22/new-funds-flow-into-the-los-angeles-river/ |archive-date=2019-10-03 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, in 2018, Los Angeles and its LARiverWorks policy team had a project underway for "every mile of the river within city limits, aiming to improve connectivity, increase open space, and restore habitat. New bridges and trails will accommodate people on foot, bikes, or horseback."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2018-4-july-august/feature/efforts-restore-los-angeles-river-California-collide-gentrifying-city |title=Efforts to Restore the Los Angeles River Collide with a Gentrifying City |date=June 25, 2018 |access-date=2019-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003011008/https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2018-4-july-august/feature/efforts-restore-los-angeles-river-California-collide-gentrifying-city |archive-date=2019-10-03 |url-status=live }}</ref> Plans to cleanup 11 miles of river north of downtown Los Angeles, in the hopes of attracting [[steelhead trout]], will cost $1.1 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2016/04/16/volunteers-clean-the-la-river-and-find-what/ |title=Volunteers clean the LA River and find what? |website=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |date=April 16, 2016 |access-date=2019-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003010745/https://www.dailynews.com/2016/04/16/volunteers-clean-the-la-river-and-find-what/ |archive-date=2019-10-03 |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2019, the Los Angeles County Flood Control District was informing the federal government that it wanted to take control of about 40 miles of channels owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2019/02/26/la-county-officials-think-they-can-do-a-better-job-than-feds-managing-la-san-gabriel-rivers/ |title=LA County officials think they can do a better job than feds managing LA, San Gabriel rivers |website=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |date=February 27, 2019 |access-date=2019-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003011002/https://www.dailynews.com/2019/02/26/la-county-officials-think-they-can-do-a-better-job-than-feds-managing-la-san-gabriel-rivers/ |archive-date=2019-10-03 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2020 LA River Master Plan ===
[[File:Blue Heron Los Angeles River.jpg|thumb|[[Great blue heron|Blue Heron]] seen while kayaking a revitalized portion in the [[Sepulveda Basin]]]]
In 2020, Los Angeles County released an updated LA River Master Plan detailing plans for the river over the next 25 years. The current plan addresses 9 goals related to flood risk, parks, ecosystems, access, arts and culture, housing, engagement and education, water supply, and water quality. The plan for decreasing flood risk consists of preserving and increasing flood risk capacity, reducing flow into the river, incorporating climate change research, and increasing emergency planning, public awareness, and management practices. In order to create inclusive, open areas, LA county's actions include making 51 continuous miles of open space, finishing the LA River Trail, providing amenities, implementing multi-use functionality, and promoting public safety. The third goal of the 2020 LA River Master Plan is to support flourishing ecosystems by increasing habitat and ecosystem function, improve plant biodiversity including native species, connecting habitat to support wildlife, and increasing environmentally-friendly practices. The LA county goal of equal access to the river is outlined by creating access points and gateways and promoting safe transportation to the river. The objective of enhancing arts and culture is planned to be achieved by creating a 51-mile arts and culture corridor, identifying and supporting cultures, and involving artists and cultural groups in the design process. The next goal outlined in the LA River Master Plan addresses impacts to the housing economy and the homeless community through incorporating the Affordable Housing Coordinating Committee in planning, creating mapping and assessment tools, increasing affordable housing, securing funding, and enhancing outreach to homeless populations. The actions to enhance engagement and education include providing spaces for all ages to learn, developing new educational materials, involving aspects from indigenous peoples, and promoting the river as an economic asset to nearby communities. The eighth goal in the master plan is to improve water supply through diverting and treating stormwater and dry weather flows before they flow into the river, supporting efficient water usage, creating better operations, maintenance, and measures. The final goal is to improve water quality by developing water quality projects, working with watershed management groups, raising public awareness, and improving facility operations and maintenance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://larivermasterplan.org/ |title=LA River Master Plan |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=larivermasterplan.org}}</ref>

=== Friends of the Los Angeles River ===

Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR) was founded in 1986 by poet and activist Lewis P. Macadams.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sahagun |first=Louis |title=Legacy projects take shape honoring Lewis MacAdams, poet and crusader for transforming Los Angeles River – Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-macadams-lariver-legacy-20171006-htmlstory.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064606/http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-macadams-lariver-legacy-20171006-htmlstory.html |archive-date=2018-10-26 |access-date=2018-10-26 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=October 6, 2017 }}</ref> Originally deemed a "40-year artwork to bring the River back to life,"<ref name="KCET">{{Cite news |date=2014-03-19 |title=A Brief History of Public Art and the L.A. River |language=en |work=KCET |url=https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/a-brief-history-of-public-art-and-the-la-river |url-status=live |access-date=2018-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064914/https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/a-brief-history-of-public-art-and-the-la-river |archive-date=2018-10-26}}</ref> FoLAR was the first organization advocating for habitat restoration and public access on the LA River.<ref name="KCET" />

One FoLAR's more prominent ongoing projects is the annual Great LA River Cleanup, which began in 1988 with a group of less than twenty people. In 2017, the Great LA Cleanup had up to 10,000 volunteers over three weekends covering the upper, middle, and lower sections of the River. In 2016, an estimated 5,000 volunteers took place in the annual cleanup, including the mayor and several elected officials.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Volunteers remove tons of trash from Los Angeles River as Earth Month cleanup continues |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-earth-month-cleanup-20160423-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003010730/https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-earth-month-cleanup-20160423-story.html |archive-date=2019-10-03 |access-date=2019-10-03 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 23, 2016 }}</ref> In 2018, more than 6,000 volunteers removed more than 60 tons of trash at nine sites along the Los Angeles River.<ref name="beverly">[https://beverlypress.com/2019/04/great-l-a-river-cleanup-marks-30-years/ Great L.A. River CleanUp marks 30 years]. Park LaBrea news /  Beverly Press, April 11, 2019</ref> In 2019, the FoLAR cleanup was the largest river cleanup in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Earth Day cleanups at the LA River — largest such events in the U.S. — will celebrate 30th year |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2019/04/12/earth-day-cleanups-at-the-la-river-largest-such-events-in-the-u-s-will-celebrate-30th-year/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003010730/https://www.dailynews.com/2019/04/12/earth-day-cleanups-at-the-la-river-largest-such-events-in-the-u-s-will-celebrate-30th-year/ |archive-date=2019-10-03 |access-date=2019-10-03 |website=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]|date=April 12, 2019 }}</ref> The cleanup marked 30 years in 2019.<ref name="beverly" /> By the summer of 2019, kayaking in Los Angeles in the river had become common.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kayaking the Los Angeles River, an Improbable Eden |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=August 23, 2019 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/kayaking-the-los-angeles-river-an-improbable-eden-11566579739 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003010731/https://www.wsj.com/articles/kayaking-the-los-angeles-river-an-improbable-eden-11566579739 |archive-date=2019-10-03 |access-date=2019-10-03|last1=Perrottet |first1=Tony }}</ref> As of 2018, FoLAR has adopted a year-round cleanup model through partnerships with other environmental organizations like Heal the Bay, and through service opportunities for corporate groups and large organizations through River Makers program.

In 2012, FoLAR raised a $1 million donation to support the completion of the [[ARBOR study]] by the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]] (USACE).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=folar.org {{!}} Alternative 20 and the ARBOR Study |url=https://folar.org/alternative-20-and-the-arbor-study/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064508/https://folar.org/alternative-20-and-the-arbor-study/ |archive-date=2018-10-26 |access-date=2018-10-26 |website=folar.org |language=en-US}}</ref> This study ultimately resulted in the adoption of [[Alternative 20]], a restoration plan focused on 719 acres of habitat and pedestrian-friendly improvements, among other things.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-05-28 |title=Feds Okay $1-Billion Los Angeles River Project |language=en |work=KCET |url=https://www.kcet.org/earth-focus/feds-okay-1-billion-los-angeles-river-project |url-status=live |access-date=2018-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064937/https://www.kcet.org/earth-focus/feds-okay-1-billion-los-angeles-river-project |archive-date=2018-10-26}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=11 mile makeover of the LA River is moving right along |work=Curbed LA |url=https://la.curbed.com/2016/7/2/12064494/la-river-restoration-alternative-20-army-corps |url-status=live |access-date=2018-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026064648/https://la.curbed.com/2016/7/2/12064494/la-river-restoration-alternative-20-army-corps |archive-date=2018-10-26}}</ref>

=== Riverside communities ===
[[File:Los Angeles River Bridge B&W.jpg|thumb|right|Springtime flow in 2008 at North Broadway-Buena Vista Viaduct (built 1909–11) on the Los Angeles River near Lincoln Heights.]]

Communities and cities along the banks of the Los Angeles River include:
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California|Canoga Park]]
* [[Winnetka, Los Angeles, California|Winnetka]]
* [[Reseda, Los Angeles, California|Reseda]]
* [[Encino, Los Angeles, California|Encino]]
* [[Lake Balboa, Los Angeles, California|Lake Balboa]]
* [[Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California|Van Nuys]]
* [[Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California|Sherman Oaks]]
* [[Studio City, Los Angeles, California|Studio City]]
* [[Universal City, California|Universal City]]
* [[Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, California|Toluca Lake]]
* [[Burbank, California|Burbank]]
* [[Glendale, California|Glendale]]
* [[Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California|Los Feliz]]
* [[Atwater Village, Los Angeles, California|Atwater Village]]
* [[Elysian Valley, Los Angeles, California|Elysian Valley]]
* [[Glassell Park, Los Angeles, California|Glassell Park]]
* [[Cypress Park, Los Angeles, California|Cypress Park]]
* [[Chinatown, Los Angeles, California|Chinatown]]
* [[Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, California|Lincoln Heights]]
* [[Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California|Boyle Heights]]
* [[Vernon, California|Vernon]]
* [[East Los Angeles, California|East Los Angeles]]
* [[South Central Los Angeles]]
* [[Maywood, California|Maywood]]
* [[Commerce, California|Commerce]]
* [[Bell, California|Bell]]
* [[Bell Gardens, California|Bell Gardens]]
* [[Cudahy, California|Cudahy]]
* [[South Gate, California|South Gate]]
* [[Lynwood, California|Lynwood]]
* [[Paramount, California|Paramount]]
* [[Compton, California|Compton]]
* [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]]
{{div col end}}

==Crossings==
{{Main|List of crossings of the Los Angeles River}}

== In media ==
{{more citations needed section|date= November 2014}}

[[File:Grease car race LA river.jpg|thumb|right|The car race in the L.A. River culvert from the film ''[[Grease (film)|Grease]]'' is an example of the canalized river's use as a location for films, television series, and music videos.]]

Numerous films, television programs, music videos, commercials and video games have featured various sites along the Los Angeles River. Since the river is a trickle for much of the year and the culvert is dry, it is often used as a setting for races, car chases, gang rumbles, and other scenes requiring an open, deserted setting within the city.

The following have scenes filmed or set within the culvert:

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* ''[[24 (TV series)|24]]''
* ''[[All Quiet on the Western Front (1930 film)|All Quiet On The Western Front]]''
* ''[[Ambulance (2022 film)|Ambulance]]''
* ''[[Blood In Blood Out]]''
* ''[[Blue Thunder]]''
* ''[[Chinatown (1974 film)|Chinatown]]''
* ''[[Cleopatra Jones]]''
* ''[[Deadline Auto Theft]]''
* ''[[Double Nickels]]''
* ''[[Drive (2011 film)|Drive]]''
* ''[[Earthquake (1974 film)|Earthquake]]''
* ''[[Fear the Walking Dead]]''
* ''[[Freaky Friday (1976 film)|Freaky Friday]]''
* ''[[Gangster Squad (film)|Gangster Squad]]''
* ''[[Girls Town (1959 film)|Girls Town]]''
* ''[[Gleaming the Cube]]''
* ''[[Gone in 60 Seconds (1974 film)|Gone in 60 Seconds]]'' and its [[Gone in 60 Seconds (2000 film)|loose remake]]
* ''[[Grease (film)|Grease]]''
* ''[[Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man]]''
* ''[[I Got The Hook Up]]''
* ''[[In Time]]''
* ''[[Into the Wild (film)|Into The Wild]]''
* [[It's Alive (1974 film)|''It's Alive'']]
* ''[[L.A. Story]]''
* ''[[Last Action Hero]]''
* ''[[Point Blank (1967 film)|Point Blank]]''
* ''[[Point Break (1991 film)|Point Break]]''
* ''[[Repo Man (film)|Repo Man]]''
* ''[[Roadblock (film)|Roadblock]]''
* ''[[Starsky & Hutch (film)|Starsky & Hutch]]
* ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]''
* ''[[The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension]]''
* ''[[The Blue Knight (film)|The Blue Knight]]''
* ''[[The Core]]''
* ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]''
* ''[[The Gumball Rally]]''
* ''[[The Italian Job (2003 film)|The Italian Job]]''
* ''[[The Junkman]]''
* ''[[The Bad Guys (film)|The Bad Guys]]''
* ''[[Them!]]''
* ''[[This Christmas (2007 film)]]''
* ''[[To Live and Die in L.A. (film)|To Live and Die in L.A.]]''
* ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''
* ''[[Volcano (1997 film)|Volcano]]''
{{div col end}}

The river is featured in ''Visiting... with [[Huell Howser]]'' Episode 218.<ref>{{cite web |title=L.A. River- Visiting (218) – Huell Howser Archives at Chapman University |date=September 25, 1994 |url=https://blogs.chapman.edu/huell-howser-archives/1994/09/25/l-a-river-visiting-218/}}</ref>

TV series highlighting the river include ''[[The Beverly Hillbillies]]'', ''[[Knight Rider]] '', ''[[CHiPs]]'', ''[[Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles]]'', ''[[American Horror Story: Apocalypse]]'', the [[The Amazing Race 15|fifteenth season]] of ''[[The Amazing Race (American TV series)|The Amazing Race]]'', as well as the [[Hell's Kitchen (American season 7)|seventh]], [[Hell's Kitchen (American season 16)|sixteenth season]] of ''[[Hell's Kitchen (American TV series)|Hell's Kitchen]]'', and ''[[The Stranger (2020 American TV series)|The Stranger]]''.

The following music videos have included sections filmed in the river:
* ''[[Don't Cha]]'' by [[Pussycat Dolls]]
* ''[[Down (Blink-182 song)|Down]]'' by [[Blink-182]]
* ''[[Stay the Night (Chicago song)|Stay the Night]]'' by [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]]
* ''[[Jesus Walks (Kanye West song)|Jesus Walks]]'' by [[Kanye West]]
* ''[[Wake Up Call (Maroon 5 song)|Wake Up Call]]'' by [[Maroon 5]]
* ''[[The River (Good Charlotte song)|The River]]'' by [[Good Charlotte]]
* ''[[Call My Name (Cheryl song)|Call My Name]]'' by [[Cheryl]]
* ''[[Wherever You Will Go]]'' by [[The Calling (band)|The Calling]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6913852/|title=The Calling: Wherever You Will Go (Music Video 2001)|website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>
* ''[[Gold Cobra]]'' by [[Limp Bizkit]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12655272/|title=Limp Bizkit: Gold Cobra (Music Video) 2011|website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>
* ''[[Mein (song)|Mein]]'' by [[Deftones]]<ref>{{cite web | last= Reed|first=Aaron|title = Deftones Announce American Tour; Ticket Pre-Sale Begins This Thursday, March 22; New Single and Video Hit Airwaves; Exclusive Ringtone to Help Homeless Youth| publisher = Sys-Con Media | url = http://www.sys-con.com/read/352170.htm| date=2007-03-21|access-date = 2007-12-23}}</ref>
* ''[[Got the Life]]'' by [[Korn]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Storm|first1=Brian|title=Eminem Was In Korn's 'Got The Life' Music Video Before He Was Famous|url=http://www.rockfeed.net/2016/11/27/eminem-korns-got-life-music-video-famous/|website=Rock Feed|access-date=2017-07-25|date=2016-11-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2nyZsmOcpLsC&q=tito+ortiz+got+the+life+video&pg=PA156 | title=Korn}}</ref>
* [[Shelter (Finneas song)|''Shelter'']] by [[Finneas O'Connell|FINNEAS]]<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rowley |first=Glenn |date=2019-09-30 |title=Finneas Unveils 'Shelter' Video After Making 'Saturday Night Live' Debut With Sis Billie Eilish: Watch |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/finneas-shelter-video-8531750/ |access-date=2023-09-09 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

Video games include the racing game series ''[[Midnight Club]]'' with ''[[Midnight Club 2]]'' and ''[[Midnight Club: Los Angeles]]'' and the action-adventure games ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]'' and ''[[Grand Theft Auto V]]'' (both of which feature depictions of the river within the fictional city of [[Los Santos (Grand Theft Auto)|Los Santos]]). Also the game [[L.A. Noire]] which is set in 1940s Los Angeles.

The house used for exterior shots of Brady's home in the sitcom ''[[The Brady Bunch]]'' at 11222 North Dilling Street in North Hollywood, has the bank of the river as the edge of its backyard.

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="240" heights="180">
File:Channel cut through Dominguez lands by a flood on the Los Angeles River.jpg|Channel cut through Dominguez lands by a flood on the Los Angeles River, about 1500 feet north of [[San Pedro via Dominguez Line|Watson station]], 1916
File:California - Long Beach - NARA - 23934449.jpg|The mouth of the Los Angeles River in 1937, in the foreground; the [[Back Channel, Port of Long Beach]], in the background
File:2013 06 25-26 syd-akl-lax-iad-ewr 054.jpg|Interstate 5, the Golden State Freeway. Glendale is on the right, Silver Lake is on the left. The Los Angeles River runs through the middle.
File:2008 03 24 bos-lax805.jpg|A paved river and railroads lead into downtown Los Angeles.
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Greater Los Angeles}}
* [[List of rivers of California]]
* [[List of Los Angeles bike paths]]

[[File:L A River Fixing (119874093).jpeg|thumb|River channel at sunset]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* ''The Los Angeles River: Its Life, Death, and Possible Rebirth.'' Blake Gumprecht. Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999. {{ISBN|0-8018-6047-4}}.
* ''Eden by design: the 1930 Olmsted-Bartholomew plan for the Los Angeles region.'' Greg Hise & William Francis Deverell. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2000. {{ISBN|0-520-22414-0}}. {{ISBN|0-520-22415-9}}.
* ''Río L.A.: Tales from the Los Angeles River.'' Patt Morrison. Los Angeles: Angel City Press, 2001. {{ISBN|1-883318-24-6}}.
* ''Down By The Los Angeles River: Friends of the Los Angeles River's Official Guide'' Joe Linton. Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2005. {{ISBN|0-89997-391-4}}.
* ''Hazardous Metropolis: Flooding and Urban Ecology in Los Angeles'' Jared Orsi. University of California Press, 2004. {{ISBN|0-520-23850-8}}.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Los Angeles River}}
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=jYpMOjasoqYC&dq=California+%22Noachian+Deluge+%22&pg=PA102  William Deverell, ''Whitewashed Adobe: The Rise of Los Angeles and the Remaking of Its Mexican Past'', University of California Press, Los Angeles, 2005, Page 102, "Map 2: Changing Courses of the Los Angeles River"]
* [http://ladpw.org/wmd/watershed/LA/LA_River_Plan.cfm The Los Angeles River Master Plan]
* [http://www.lariver.org Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan and City Ad Hoc Committee]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051024012238/http://www.lalc.k12.ca.us/target/units/river/tour/index.html The Los Angeles River Tour]
* [http://www.lasgrwc.org Los Angeles & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131211135648/http://www.theriverproject.org/index.html The River Project]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190716030537/https://folar.org/ F.O.L.A.R. Friends of the Los Angeles River]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100322230759/http://www.sepulvedabasin.org/ Friends of the Sepulveda Basin], organization website
* [http://www.lariverflyfishing.com lariverflyfishing] River blog from a unique perspective
* [http://lacreekfreak.wordpress.com/ lacreekfreak], Blog
* [http://seriss.com/people/erco/fovicks/ Friends Of Vast Industrial Concrete Kafkaesque Structures], a photo journal of photographs of the Los Angeles River flood control channel.
* [http://www.plasmatic.info/wordpress/?p=257 The Los Angeles River Film], a 28-minute documentary film about the Los Angeles River including recent revitalization efforts.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090625025019/http://www.mensjournal.com/activist-with-a-paddle Saving the Los Angeles River], story about saving the river via boating and activism.
* [http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/lariver/los-feliz/joe-linton.html KCET Departures interview with Joe Linton] advocate of restoration and revitalization of the L.A. river.
* [http://www.lariverexpeditions.org/ L.A. River Expeditions], a leading advocate for recreational-educational boating and public access rights on the L.A. River.
* [http://www.rocktheboatfilm.com/ Rock the Boat], an award-winning documentary film featuring the L.A. River and many environmental advocates.
* [http://www.epa.gov/region9/mediacenter/LA-river/ Environmental Protection Agency], their historic 2010 determination about protecting the entire L.A. River watershed.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110916093330/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2092587,00.html Time magazine article], featuring the 2012 Paddle the L.A. River pilot program.
* [http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/08/20/california.la.river/index.html CNN article], on the paddling program.
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/26/us/26river.html?_r=1&ref=us New York Times article], on the river being opened to recreational use.
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14689978 BBC broadcast], on canoeing to save the river.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4td3ORUevk&t=0s&list=LLGKSXSN5sk8Tczkc3CxwOYA&index=1], video capture of the flamingo chase.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131112023650/http://losangelesriverphotos.com/ River photos]
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[[Category:Los Angeles River| ]]
[[Category:Rivers of Los Angeles County, California]]
[[Category:Rivers of Southern California]]
[[Category:Geography of Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Geography of the San Fernando Valley]]
[[Category:San Fernando Valley]]
[[Category:South Gate, California]]