San Gabriel Reservoir Post-Fire Emergency Restoration Project

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San Gabriel Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area

The U.S. Forest Service will reopen the San Gabriel Canyon OHV Area on June 19, 2021. The OHV area will be open Saturdays, Sundays, and major holidays. All visitors must make an online reservation at Recreation.gov before arriving at the site.

OHV users are reminded that entrance into San Gabriel Reservoir is prohibited. Due to the upcoming San Gabriel Reservoir Post-Fire Emergency Restoration Project, construction equipment and/or activities may be located within the OHV area. OHV users must respect all signs and fencing and avoid areas with construction equipment and/or activities.

San Gabriel Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Area

Coordination with Regulatory Agencies

While the San Gabriel Reservoir Post-Fire Emergency Restoration Project is an emergency project, Public Works will ensure the project complies, and in some instances exceeds, regulatory requirements typically enforced on non-emergency projects. Public Works is partnering with the agencies below to ensure measures are taken to protect the public, recreational resources, wildlife, habitat, and water quality to the extent possible.

  • United States Forest Service (USFS) – Coordination for continued use of Burro Canyon Sediment Placement Site (SPS) and Off-Highway Vehicle Area in the San Gabriel Reservoir and revegetation of the SPS at the end of the Project per a plan approved by USFS.
  • United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – Coordination for impacts to Waters of the United States. A Section 404 permit will be issued by USACE.
  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) – Coordination with CDFW to implement measures that protect wildlife and habitat. Restoration of the reservoir and the SPS will be implemented per a plan approved by CDFW.
  • Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) – Coordination with RWQCB to implement measures to protect water quality and aquatic resources. Restoration of the reservoir and the SPS will be implemented per a plan approved by RWQCB. A Section 401 certification has been issued by RWQCB.

Emergency Declarations

On October 13, 2020, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion instructing Los Angeles County Public Works to take immediate action to repair and restore facilities affected by the Bobcat Fire. This includes the removal of sediment from major dams and reservoirs such as San Gabriel Reservoir. In accordance with the Board of Supervisors’ motion, Public Works has initiated a five-year project to remove 4.9 MCY of sediment from San Gabriel Reservoir.

In addition to the emergency declaration by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Bobcat Fire was also declared an emergency by the federal government and the State of California. These emergency declarations can be found in the Resources section.

Construction Schedule

San Gabriel Dam Construction Schedule

Site Plan

San Gabriel Dam Site plan