Los Angeles River Series #8 (2019)

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Approximately two miles south of the city of Glendale and immediately east of the Griffith Park Railroad, the Los Feliz Boulevard Bridge crosses the Los Angeles River midpoint of a five-mile river section called the Glendale Narrows. Here the river retains its natural sandy bottom rather that being covered in concrete, as is most of the river along its 51-mile length.  The US Army Corps of Engineers channelized the Los Angeles River in 1938 after numerous destructive floods. This more natural sandy bottom element, and the resulting wildlife and habitat that go along with it, was not the result of planning by the Corps to retain natural river elements, but rather due to latent geologic features: West of the hills of Griffith Park, the easternmost edge of Santa Monica Mountains contain shallow bedrock forcing groundwater from the San Fernando Valley to the surface. Here the Los Angeles River is enriched by springs bringing abundant river flows throughout the year. Apparently, in the Glendale Narrows at least, Mother Nature has prevailed setting an example of what might be possible as the city of Los Angeles attempts to set a path forward toward a more sustainable and ecologically sound future for the Los Angeles River. 

In Los Angeles River Painting 8, Sandy Bottom Beneath Los Feliz Boulevard Bridge, cool blues and greens, abundant vegetation and shallow pools create habitat for waterfowl and aquatic life. The hills of Griffith Park rise to the left, evidence of the Santa Monica Mountains whose bedrock forces water to the surface making the Glendale Narrows section of the Los Angeles River an island of life rather than one of concrete. An ever-present high-tension electrical tower, painted bridge graffiti, concrete banks and sunny silver skies provide further proof that this river painting belongs to Los Angeles.

If you are interested in this painting, you can view more details in the Store. If you would like to learn more about the City of Los Angeles' River Project, explore the links below.

More on the Los Angeles Revitalization Project

City of Los Angeles River Revitalization Project