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Los Angeles County Public Works manages the Los Angeles County Flood Control District which operates and maintains a world class flood control system made up of dams, debris basins, channels, storm drains, and other flood control infrastructure (ex: spreading grounds, catch basins, debris retaining inlets, etc.). During winter months, storms have the potential to carry dirt, rocks and other organic material from undeveloped hillsides into debris basins. The potential increases greatly in the aftermath of fires. Debris basin sediment removal is a routine maintenance activity that restores capacity to provide critical flood protection for downstream communities. Sediment that is suitable for compaction is delivered to a sediment placement site to be placed in accordance with engineered fill plans and grading plans to ensure structural stability and control runoff, respectively. Organic material that is not suitable for compaction is separated at the debris basin and hauled away to a landfill for disposal.
Project Summary
Recent storms deposited extensive debris flows and mudflows into county-maintained debris basins. The County is currently moving sediment and depositing it at sediment placement sites, including Dunsmuir, May, and Zachau, and other designated areas across the county. Public Works trucks are not hauling residential or household hazardous wastes or fire debris to these locations.
Our Commitment to the Community
Los Angeles County Public Works is closely managing these projects to ensure that they are done safely, quickly, and efficiently to restore the debris basins’ ability to protect downstream communities from flood risks Public Works follows the following best management practices:
- Truck loads will be covered or have other dust protective measures.
- Track out devices will remove dirt, debris, and rocks from truck tires before entering local streets
- Street sweepers will follow the truck route along local streets as needed.
- Only material suitable for compaction as engineered fill will be hauled and placed at the SPS.
- Water trucks will minimize the potential for dust migrating offsite (used at both the DBs and SPSs, so not just during sediment placement)
Resources
FAQ
Fact Sheets
Maps
Dunsmuir
May
Zachau
