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Utility Company Diverts Stream, Threatening Wildlife, in Angeles National Forest,
At the top of the stream is Millard Falls | Benjamin Page/LAist Featured Photos
A stream that serves rare wildlife in the San Gabriel Mountains dried up this week after a local utility company diverted the water away for a pipe test. That prompted the U.S. Forest Service to send a cease and desist letter to Lincoln Avenue Water Company, according to the Pasadena Star-News. The stream tends to dry up in the Summer, but gradually over the season, not in a matter of hours like it did on Tuesday. After the cease and desist was served, water was again flowing, but the host at Millard Canyon Campground was concerned about the survival of rare newts and frogs that live off the stream.
Stream diversion is not the only problem facing the local habitat around Millard Canyon. Last year's Station Fire devastated the area, which later prompted winter debris flows to bring large boulders and tree stumps.
Not only that, children who come to camp often pick up the frogs and newts, relocating them somewhere else.
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