Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Trees are being cleared from a favorite hiking spot to reduce flooding threat downstream

Shannon O'Sullivan in a dry creek within the Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena. She objects to trees being cleared from part of the park to make way for sediment removal behind Devil's Gate Dam.
Shannon O'Sullivan in a dry creek within the Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena. She objects to trees being cleared from part of the park to make way for sediment removal behind Devil's Gate Dam.
(
Sharon McNary/KPCC
)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Listen 3:54
Trees are being cleared from a favorite hiking spot to reduce flooding threat downstream

In Pasadena, the Hahamongna Watershed Park behind Devil's Gate Dam is a hidden gem of a hiking area, filled with trees and plants.

But it's being stripped of its trees, and soon hundreds of trucks will be removing tons of dirt every day.

It's part of a long-delayed project to reduce the flood threat from the Devil's Gate Dam to hundreds of homes and the 110 freeway to the south along the Arroyo Seco Channel.

Locals who have been enjoying the beauty of the park are deeply unhappy.

"These trees are 20 and 30 feet tall. Starting now, the trees, the plants, the birds, the burrowing owls, the lizards, and the frogs, they will just be mowed under," said Shannon O'Sullivan. She grew up close to the park and dam and hikes there daily.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today