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Eastern Sierra Flash Flooding Impacts Lower Owens River

Eastern Sierra Flash Flooding Impacts Lower Owens River
During the week of July 22 the Sierra Nevada Mountains and White/Inyo Mountains were hit by extreme thunderstorms that were the most severe in many years. Numerous creeks along the mountain ranges experienced very high mud and debris flows down towards both sides of the Owens Valley and Lower Owens River, causing flash flooding and damage in many locations, including the closure of Highway 395 several times.

On Friday July 26, 2013 the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) received a report that there was a fish kill on the Lower Owens River. LADWP sent a crew of biologists and other personnel to inspect the Lower Owens River to determine if there was a problem and if so to what extent. Unfortunately the initial site investigation indicates that approximately 400 to 500 fish have been found floating at the southern end of the Lower Owens River.

Flash flooding from the thunderstorms quickly caused high water surges into creeks and the Aqueduct. To minimize impacts, LADWP crews spread the floodwaters onto the alluvial fans at the foot of the mountains to the west and released some flows from the Aqueduct. The flash floods significantly impacted the water quality in the creeks and Lower Owens River, most likely resulting in the fish kill. LADWP is working with regulatory agencies to evaluate the occurrence.