The Los Angeles River: Its Life, Death, and Possible Rebirth

Creating the North American Landscape

by Blake Gumprecht

Winner of the J. B. Jackson Prize from the Association of American Geographers Three centuries ago, the Los Angeles River meandered through marshes and forests of willow and sycamore. Trout spawned in its waters and grizzly bears roamed its shores. The bountiful environment the river helped create supported one of the largest concentrations of Indians in North America. Today, the river is made almost entirely of concrete. Chain-link fence and barbed wire line its course. Shopping carts and trash litter its channel. Little water flows in the river most of the year, and nearly all that does is treated sewage and oily street runoff. On much of its course, the river looks more like a deserted freeway than a river. The river's contemporary image belies its former character and its importance to the development of Southern California. Los Angeles would not exist were it not for the river, and the river was crucial to its growth. Recognizing its past and future potential, a potent movement has developed to revitalize its course. The Los Angeles River offers the first comprehensive account of a river that helped give birth to one of the world's great cities, significantly shaped its history, and promises to play a key role in its future.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Environment, Nature, Urban Planning

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the incredible story of the settling of the Los Angeles basin as told through the sad history of the Los Angeles River. It turns out the river, which is off the radar of most Angelinos, is the key to understanding the history and geography of this spectacular place. Although the once noble stream, which was lined with willows and cottonwoods and was a home to abundant wildlife, is now nothing more than a deep, wide, concrete-lined ditch, there is always hope that the river can be reborn. It's all here, from the Indian villages that lined the river, to the founding of the pueblo by the Spanish in 1781, to the coming of the railroads and the millions of newcomers who have arrived since the late 19th century. The floods, fires, politics, and corruption all make for a fascinating tale.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing chronicle of the los angeles river from it's rich history to present day efforts to restore it to it's natural beauty without flooding the modern day metropolis. If you live in LA or have any interest in it, you should read this book.

[Donald Strauss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most thorough and engaging environmental history of Los Angeles.

[Brenda Conry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a fascinating read.
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley. As a small child I had no concept of "river." I don't know that it ever occurred to me that a river SHOULD flow freely. By the time I learned what a river is I had already forgotten that Los Angeles even had one. Reading the history of what had been a riparian haven for wildlife as well as the indigenous inhabitants, and how it devolved as a result of the river's popularity, is eye-opening. The Los Angeles River is the backdrop for so many events--motion pictures, to art festivals--but never given its due as a river.
Sad, really.

[Liza Pittard]

One of the best books I’ve read for work — super in-depth ecological history of the LA River, which by the way is completely devastating

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, and provides a very readable history of the Los Angeles river and the city's relationship to the river. I recommend this book for anyone looking to understand how the city developed and its odd relationship with water and the natural tendencies of the regions watershed. This book also give an interesting perspective on local and statewide politics, landuse, water rights and real estate.

[David Khalaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can be a bit dry -- both the river and the book. BUT, once you get into, it's truly fascinating to learn how the Los Angeles River was the single most instrumental factor in shaping the city and how it looks today. The first half involving the history is the most interesting; as it looks forward it's a bit less relevant since the book is 15 years old.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

More people in LA county have died from flooding than earthquakes.