Tujunga-Pacoima Watershed Plan

In 2004, with funding from the California Bay-Delta Watershed Program, The River Project embarked on a major two-and-a-half-year project to develop a comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for the Tujunga and Pacoima Washes, the primary subwatershed of the Los Angeles River.

The Plan identifies multiple benefits including enhancing local water supply and water quality, mitigating flood risk, restoring ecosystem function to Tujunga and Pacoima Washes, reducing heat impacts, expanding biodiversity, and creating community recreation opportunities by linking greenways and neighborhood park space in underserved and climate-vulnerable communities in the area.

We worked through a consensus process with community members and government agencies to produce: a comprehensive set of Goals & Objectives; a thorough Assessment of geophysical, cultural, political, and socio-economic conditions; and a detailed Plan, identifying specific projects to accomplish these goals and improve the healthy functioning of the watershed.

The project included Watershed-U, a six-week workshop to educate community members about interlinked issues, and development of a k-12 curriculum specific to the Tujunga Wash.

The Plan provides a blueprint for recovery of functionality throughout the Los Angeles River Watershed.  To date, 20 projects identified as part of the Plan have been completed, including the enhancements to three spreading grounds, the Woodman Avenue Median Retrofit, and the Water LA pilot. 4 are ongoing works in progress, and 5 more have been funded.

For more information about the history and culture of the watershed, read the History and Culture chapter of the Tujunga/ Pacoima Watershed, from the full State of the Tujunga Report linked below. Understanding our history and respecting indigenous practices are fundamental to a sustainable future.