MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA, INYO COUNTY AND LADWP RELEASE FIRST SEASONAL WATER FLOW INTO LOWER OWENS RIVER
DIGNITARIES TO TRAVERSE RIVER BY BOAT TO VIEW HABITAT RESTORATION
AS LONG-DRY CHANNEL RETURNS TO LIFE
WHAT: The Annual Seasonal Water Release and Lower Owens River Inspection Tour
WHO: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Inyo County government representatives,
H. David Nahai, LADWP CEO & General Manager
Representatives of the Sierra Club, Owens Valley Committee, California Department of
Fish & Game, and the State Lands Commission
WHEN: Wednesday, February 13, 11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
WHERE: Water Release – Los Angeles Aqueduct Intake – 11:30 a.m.
Inspection Tour – Blackrock waterfowl area – 12:45 to 2:15 p.m.
The LA Aqueduct Intake is about two miles east of Hwy 395, 15 miles north of
Independence and 30 miles south of Bishop.
Blackrock is a short distance south of the Intake.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The Mayor and dignitaries will lower the water release gate and begin to increase water flows by 500% of current levels to mimic peak snowmelt runoff. Following the water release, the dignitaries will ride canoes to inspect a 1 ½ -mile section of the river, which is flourishing with new life.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Los Angeles and Inyo County began releasing the first continuous flow of water into the long-dry river on Dec. 6, 2006. More than a year later, the 62-mile river is flourishing and transforming into a lush habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds and fisheries. During the seasonal water release, flows will increase from 40 cubic feet per second to 200 cubic feet per second and ramp down again. The two-week process emulates natural seasonal flows to flood the riverbanks, clears the channel of silt and germinates the soil, promoting growth of willows, cottonwood trees and other riparian habitat.
Contact: LA Mayor’s Office, 213-978-0741
LADWP Public Affairs, 213-367-1361
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