Arroyo Seco Flood Control – Pasadena CA

Description

The WPA was extensively involved in flood control construction in Arroyo Seco during the 1930s. Excerpts of WPA involvement in that history follow:

1934-35: Trapezoidal channel is constructed in the Central Arroyo from Devils Gate Dam through the Rose Bowl area to Holly Street with a soft bottom as part of a CWA, SERA, WPA project.

1935: The Works Progress Administration takes over the gravel operation in LA, designating it as a flood control project sponsored by the city of Los Angeles. Trapezoidal cross-section construction chosen since it minimized steel and lumber and maximized hand labor, satisfying requirements of relief funding.

1935-40: The Works Progress Administration undertakes channelization of the Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles as part of construction of Arroyo Seco Parkway. Final stretch between Avenue 22 and Avenue 40 is completed in late 1940. Total cost of the Federal Relief Labor project was about $7,000,000, procured by Los Angeles City Engineer Lloyd Aldrich.

1938: In Pasadena 2.5 miles channel is built from 1938 to 1940 as a WPA project, sponsored by the city of Pasadena, the stated of California and the Flood Control District at a cost of 1,142,500.

For a full timeline see https://www.arroyoseco.org/History/ArroyoSecoFloodTimeline.pdf