ON THIS PAGE
Eaton Wash Dam Post-Fire Emergency Project
The devastating Eaton Fire burned homes, businesses and infrastructure, including undeveloped areas upstream of Eaton Wash Dam and Reservoir in Pasadena. Los Angeles County Public Works is working to restore and prepare critical water infrastructure for the ongoing storm season.
Project Summary
Due to the condition of the burned watershed, a large quantity of sediment is anticipated to enter the Eaton Wash Reservoir during storm season. Los Angeles County Public Works has an urgent need to remove up to 500,000 cubic yards of sediment and organic materials to ensure the reservoir has enough capacity during storm season to safeguard downstream communities from flooding.
Sediment transportation will begin in mid-February and continue through May 2025 – or until the reservoir’s capacity is restored. For the first two weeks, up to 1,200 hauling loads will be transported 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Following this initial phase, 700 loads will be hauled 12 hours per day, 7 days a week, until the emergency project is complete.
Sediment will be moved to two disposal facilities in Irwindale and Azusa.
Our Commitment to the Community
Los Angeles County Public Works will closely manage this emergency project to see that it is done safely, quickly, and cleanly to restore the reservoir’s ability to protect downstream communities from flooding.
- Water trucks within the reservoir will minimize potential dust during sediment removal.
- Truck loads will utilize dust protective measures including having adequate free board and moisture content to reduce dust during transport.
- Trackout devices will be used to remove dirt and rocks from truck tires.
- Street sweepers will follow the truck route in proximity to the reservoir.
Our goal is to complete this emergency project with as minimal disruption to the community as possible, with public health and safety always top of mind.
Resources
Project Updates
Last Updated 03/17/2025
- Hauling is set to resume as early as Monday, March 17
- Contractor has been using approx. 60 trucks
- Approx. 150,000 tons of sediment have been hauled
- Still taking material to United Rock and sticking to that original hauling route
- Testing has continued with all results within landfill parameters
- We’ve expanded BMPs as follows:
- added an extra sweeper
- sweeping more frequently
- placed gravel on the ramp exiting the reservoir to prevent tracking dirt
- cleaning the rumble plates more frequently
- added laborers cleaning the sides of the trucks before departure, and
- we are wetting the sediment in the trucks right before they leave to prevent dust flying
Maps
Vicinity Maps
Hauling Routes
Contact
Luis Cervantes
Senior Civil Engineer
(626) 632-0675
lcervant@dpw.lacounty.gov
For urgent issues or questions, please contact Public Works dispatch at 800-675-HELP (4357).