SCTU

LOwer LOS ANGELES RIVER RESTORATION AND ACCESS 

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Join us for our first COMMUNITY WORKSHOP!

Thursday April 24th, 2025 • 6 PM- 8PM

shape the future of the LA River
​in Paramount!

• Nature-based improvements
• Restoration in the river channel
• Share your ideas!
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Get the Flyer!
Paramount Community Center
14400 Paramount Blvd., Paramount CA 90723
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DATE: Thursday April 24th, 2025
TIME: 6 PM- 8PM

Click here to RSVP
A VISION FOR OUR FUTURE
The Lower Los Angeles River Restoration and Access Project (LLARRA) is an inspiring initiative to bring nature-based restoration to the Los Angeles River Channel in the City of Paramount. ​This project focuses on flood control, habitat restoration and enhanced community access to pave the way for a more equitable and environmentally conscious future.
WHY YOUR PARTICIPATION MATTERS 

phase 2: Design and community input

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​Our Environment:
Revitalizes river habitats for fish, birds and local wildlife.

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​For Our Well-Being:
Promotes health through outdoor activities and connecting with nature.

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​For Our Community:
Creates recreational spaces for learning, playing, exploring and celebrating diverse cultures together.

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​For Safety and Accessibility: 
Prioritizes safety with managed river access and ADA-compliant designs.

Join the Conversation
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WHERE

From Rosecrans Avenue to Somerset Boulevard,
between the 710 freeway and Ralph C. Dills Park and LA River Bike Path.
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WHAT

To redesign the river channel to support wildlife,
increase safety and provide recreational spaces
.
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HOW

Your voice is crucial in shaping the future of the Lower Los Angeles River. Get involved through workshops, feedback sessions and volunteer opportunities.

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Project funder

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Project lead

​2021-22 PHASE 1: CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

LOWER LOS ANGELES RIVER RESTORATION AND ACCESS (LLARRA)​
​PHASE 1: Conceptual Design

2022 Work done to create an initial conceptual design. This work was funded by RMC and SMMC

LOcation

Paramount, CA, adjacent to the LA River Bike Path (by Ralph C. Dills Park). The project will border both Paramount and Compton, parallel to the 710 freeway.

Project lead

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Trout Unlimited's mission is to protect, reconnect and restore the places people love to fish. The South Coast Chapter of Trout Unlimited works in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura Counties.

Project FUNDERS

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The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC), in collaboration with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC),  Los Angeles River Fish Passage Program

Project Description

What is Happening Now?
Along with our project team, the City of Paramount, and the Odyssey STEM Academy, we have completed a conceptual design for the Lower LA River that incorporates seasonal public access and open space in a naturalized river channel. Our team has devoted significant effort to flood risk evaluation and safety concerns that can impact this effort, and we are continuing conversations toward a resilient LA River channel that offers both flood protection and benefits for human and wildlife communities along the river.
We Want to Hear from You
We would like to hear from you about special events, school activities, and community services in your neighborhood you think might be interested in this project. If you have an upcoming event, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at [email protected].

Your input helps us incorporate local community needs and ideas into the future LA River Channel designs!

Project Background
The Lower LA River Channel Restoration and Access project is in and along the LA River from Rosecrans Ave to Somerset Blvd. Our grant project for the Lower LA River includes redesigning the river channel flow in this half-mile section of the river. The site is adjacent to the LA River Bike Path and Ralph C. Dills Park, and includes overlooks along the levee and improved channel access. This grant project is the first step in realizing a naturalized bottom in the Lower LA River.
 
In 1938 the US Army Corp began channelizing the LA River to control flood issues and allow for economic development in Los Angeles County. The LA River has not been a free-flowing channel since then. While channelization has provided protection from historic flood issues, we have lost our natural habitats and ecosystems that come with a natural river corridor. 
 
The Lower LA River Channel Restoration and Access Project is part of a broad effort to improve habitat conditions, open space, and access along the LA River. It builds upon restoration efforts along the 51 miles of the LA River. These efforts seek to create a functioning “urban river” of flood safe habitat nodes and expanded outdoor opportunities for communities that lack equitable access to open space.
 
The San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) funded our conceptual design project in collaboration with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC). The RMC and SMMC recently established the Los Angeles River Fish Passage Program and seeded that effort for design and implementation work along the LA River.  (information can be found here)

A central feature of the design project will be the reconfiguration of the straight low flow channel. Meandering, engineered channel designs with rock features, pools, shade, and resting spots will provide habitat found in natural rivers. These features will provide habitat needed for fish, birds, and other wildlife to flourish while minimizing flood risk.

What are the project Goals?
The project goal is to redesign the existing LA River channel into a flood safe accessible open space and wildlife habitat. 
 
We will achieve this goal by completing the following objectives
  • Integrate local communities at every step of the design process via community-led engagement.
  • Increase access to the LA River Channel along the bike path from Rosecrans Ave to Somerset Blvd. with flood safe, ADA-compliant access ramps.
  • Create LA River overlooks.
  • Improve habitat for fish and wildlife by naturalizing the existing channel flow to eventually provide steelhead the opportunity to migrate up and down the river.

Project area photos

Conceptual design

Get inVOLVED!

While we have developed a conceptual design for elements of improving the Lower LA, we need the guidance of local communities along the river. Passion and creativity for revitalizing the river abounds in Paramount, South Gate, Compton, Lynwood, and beyond. We are actively seeking input from local individuals and organizations who can guide and influence this effort. For more information on how to be involved please click below.
contact SCTU

Are there fish in the LA River?

These fish are migrating up the LA River channel just above the Compton Creek confluence. Yes, there are fish!
South Coast Trout Unlimited is a 501(c)3 charitable organization
Mailing address: 3154 Glendale Blvd, 117 | Los Angeles CA 90039 • Email: [email protected]
©2019, South Coast Trout Unlimited.
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