Reality Check: The Los Angeles River Can Still Flood

Sometimes it seems like it will never rain again in Los Angeles, but the river running through the city is still a significant flood risk.

1 minute read

October 21, 2016, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Los Angeles River

Hayk_Shalunts / Shutterstock

"Los Angeles this week received a stark reminder that the river that cuts through the region — much of the year just a trickle — can become a dangerous torrent during periods of intense rain," according to an article by Ben Poston.

The report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found "more than 3,000 parcels north of downtown Los Angeles in neighborhoods such as Atwater Village and Elysian Valley could be submerged by an average of 5 to 10 feet of water in the event of a 100-year storm," reports Poston. Parts of Griffith Park, Glendale, and Burbank are also at risk of significant flooding.

The report means property owners with federally backed mortgages will be required to purchase flood insurance, and new developments will have to conform to new building regulations.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers prepared the report as a step toward the massive river restoration project underway in Los Angeles.

Monday, October 17, 2016 in Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of homes on green hillsides in Daly City, California.

Depopulation Patterns Get Weird

A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.

April 10, 2024 - California Planning & Development Report

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million

Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.

April 11, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

A view straight down LaSalle Street, lined by high-rise buildings with an El line running horizontally over the street.

Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing

Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.

April 10, 2024 - Chicago Construction News

Close-up of red Capital Bikeshare bikes with Washington Monument in background.

DC Bikeshare System Breaks Ridership Record

Capital Bikeshare users took over 20,000 rides on one day in March.

10 minutes ago - DC News Now

Close-up of EV charging station sign with "No Parking except for EV charging" in outdoor parking lot.

EV Infrastructure Booming in Suburbs, Cities Lag Behind

A lack of access to charging infrastructure is holding back EV adoption in many US cities.

April 15 - PC Magazine

Two cyclists riding on a protected bike lane on a bridge in Seattle with traffic on their left.

Seattle Road Safety Advocates Say Transportation Levy Perpetuates Car-Centric Status Quo

Critics of a proposed $1.3 billion transportation levy say the package isn’t enough to keep up with inflation and rising costs and fails to support a shift away from car-oriented infrastructure.

April 15 - Publicola

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.