Dominguez Gap Wetlands Multiuse Project

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

The Dominguez Gap Wetlands Multiuse Project is the first of its kind in the Los Angeles County region. This multi-use, multi-benefit project maintains flood protection along the urban lower reaches of the Los Angeles River and is improving water quality and groundwater recharge, restoring and creating native habitat, enhancing recreational trails, and providing environmental education. What was once a traditional concrete basin is now a naturalized, landscaped channel with a series of marshes, open ponds, habitat islands, wildlife and riparian vegetation. Through innovative engineering, water quality is improved by treatment wetlands making this project one of the most challenging restoration efforts ever. The project provides an overall benefit to the community by removing nonpoint source pollutants from the Los Angeles River, improving water quality and reversing damage to the ecosystem. In addition, the project provides public use open space, passive recreational features, and landscape improvements. These include interpretive signage and exhibits, trails, fences, access gates, and meandering pathways for people to walk and bike all along the existing flood control channel.