The LA River

[hallett21]

Robin Greenfield on Instagram: "What the La River taste like? I’m one of the few who can tell you."

1,785 likes, 529 comments - robin.greenfield on March 20, 2025: "What the La River taste like? I’m one of the few who can tell you.".

www.instagram.com

Straight to jail

 

[BoatCop]

We used to run cars & MCs down the "river" in the '70s. We called it the "Hepatitis Highway".

 

[4Waters]

He's gonna get the shits

 

[Kachina26]

He's gonna get the shits

If he's lucky.

 

[shintoooo]

 

[shintoooo]

 

[oldman]

He's not stupid, he swished and spit.

 

[LazyLavey]

Robin Greenfield on Instagram: "What the La River taste like? I’m one of the few who can tell you."

1,785 likes, 529 comments - robin.greenfield on March 20, 2025: "What the La River taste like? I’m one of the few who can tell you.".

www.instagram.com

Straight to jail

Paid for by KBASS

 

[LazyLavey]

I find it hilarious that L.A. Calls that oversized gutter the "L.A. River"

It's an insult to the cities that have legit rivers running through them

 

[Taboma]

I find it hilarious that L.A. Calls that oversized gutter the "L.A. River"

It's an insult to the cities that have legit rivers running through them

I see, so your definition of a legit river is a natural one with no man made flood control intervention ? What about dams ?

 

[Ziggy]

I find it hilarious that L.A. Calls that oversized gutter the "L.A. River"

It's an insult to the cities that have legit rivers running through them

Los Angeles Wash?

 

[oldman]

Los Angeles Wash?

By their own account it's mainly storm drain runoff. So wash is pretty accurate

Los Angeles River - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[hallett21]

I see, so your definition of a legit river is a natural one with no man made flood control intervention ? What about dams ?

It’s a concrete storm drain from Hanson dam to the ocean.

 

[Taboma]

It’s a concrete storm drain from Hanson dam to the ocean.

Didn't use to be and flooded the LA Basin almost annually as a result.
Similar to how the Santa Ana River used to flood areas of Orange County.
Prior to the rise in human population, the delta areas of both these old rivers provided substantial agriculture.
Even with the flood control channel, I recall in the late 50's or possible very early 60's, rescuing my grandmother from her apartment building in Long Beach when that storm drain, with it's considerable mountainous watershed headwaters area overflowing it's banks.
Yes, it's sad what it's become, but then it's sad what the humanity has done to most all of Southern California, the late great San Gabriel / LA River being just a sad examples of that occupation.

The fact that it carries storm water run-off during it's journey to the sea, as does any river passing through a populated area, doesn't disqualify it's origin as that of a river.

 

[Joker]

We did the kayaks through the rapids in the LA River maybe 7 years ago somewhere by echo park I believe. It was a decent was to spend the day with the family.

 

[DWC]

Grew up in North Long Beach. Used to drag a rubber raft down to the flood control and float from Long Beach Blvd to past Del Amo. Not the cleanest water I’ve ever been in. Made the channel look clean. Good times though.

 

[shintoooo]

We did the kayaks through the rapids in the LA River maybe 7 years ago somewhere by echo park I believe. It was a decent was to spend the day with the family.

I don’t know if this is a joke or if you really did that

 

[stephenkatsea]

Many areas around Los Angeles were major flood zones prior to the vast storm drain projects of the 50 & 60s. The town of Downey sits between the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel rivers. Considerable flooding would often occur. I can recall curb to curb water covering Firestone Blvd.

 

[BoatCop]

Late '50s, the area around LAX would flood whenever there was a decent rain. I lived in a little neighborhood, Manchester Square, bordered by Century, Aviation, La Tiejera, and Arbor Vitae. (It's where the new Rental car complex is now, for location reference) We would build rafts and float through the drainage ditches. We almost made it to Ballona Creek a couple times. Those ditches have all been replaced by underground drains, which drain fresh water directly into the ocean.)

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Grew up in North Long Beach. Used to drag a rubber raft down to the flood control and float from Long Beach Blvd to past Del Amo. Not the cleanest water I’ve ever been in. Made the channel look clean. Good times though.

I grew up in NLB too. Near Atlantic and Del Amo. We used to ride our bikes out over the railroad trestle and drop into the riverbed then run up to Compton Creek and explore. Got chased by LBPD a couple of times but kids on bikes are hard to find when they want to hide. Crazy the stuff we could get away with back then. I read about the mini bike mobs down there now and remember riding our mini bikes on the streets (mine was assembled from cast-off parts) but we maintained a lower profile and tried to avoid the cops, not tempt them...

 

[DWC]

I grew up in NLB too. Near Atlantic and Del Amo. We used to ride our bikes out over the railroad trestle and drop into the riverbed then run up to Compton Creek and explore. Got chased by LBPD a couple of times but kids on bikes are hard to find when they want to hide. Crazy the stuff we could get away with back then. I read about the mini bike mobs down there now and remember riding our mini bikes on the streets (mine was assembled from cast-off parts) but we maintained a lower profile and tried to avoid the cops, not tempt them...

Grandparents lived at DelAmo /Cherry. We were at Long Beach Blvd and 710. Spent a ton of time going back n forth in the area.
A few things that stand out. Sledding at Scherer park, shopping for trains at Dooley’s, cruising into the Scarab dealer. Fishing for crawdads in Compton Creek. Hanging out at the mini-golf and skate park. What a childhood. We’d get on the bikes and be gone from morning til night. When we got older we’d take the bus to the beach.

 

[Flyinbowtie]

Grandparents lived at DelAmo /Cherry. We were at Long Beach Blvd and 710. Spent a ton of time going back n forth in the area.
A few things that stand out. Sledding at Scherer park, shopping for trains at Dooley’s, cruising into the Scarab dealer. Fishing for crawdads in Compton Creek. Hanging out at the mini-golf and skate park. What a childhood. We’d get on the bikes and be gone from morning til night. When we got older we’d take the bus to the beach.

Very few memories of first home on Scott St. Grew grew up on E 46th st. Scherer Park...lotsa memories...and Shady Acres.,..and Dooleys. At Christmas time Dooleys was like paradise for us kids.
It was a good place to be a kid back then. I left LB after graduation in 1976.
Went to Clara Barton and Jordan HS is where I met the Mrs.

 

[DWC]

Very few memories of first home on Scott St. Grew grew up on E 46th st. Scherer Park...lotsa memories...and Shady Acres.,..and Dooleys. At Christmas time Dooleys was like paradise for us kids.
It was a good place to be a kid back then. I left LB after graduation in 1976.
Went to Clara Barton and Jordan HS is where I met the Mrs.

I went to Starr King thru 5th grade. Was part of “Space 6 integration” 6-8th . They bussed us from the Starr King to Marshall every day. The look on their faces when the first busses showed up was appropriate for the time. I was one of a few white kids on the bus. Parents pulled the plug in the summer before i was supposed to start at Jordan. They both graduated from the school but didn’t want us going there. Might have had something to do with my dad stabbing a gang banger that was trying to rob our neighbor

 

[Flyinbowtie]

WOWl.
Small world! Went to Starr King for Kindergarten. Then to Barton when we moved.
Cindy and I are Jordan Class of 1976.
Crazy...we rode some of the same trails, ate some of the same 10 cent Dooleys Hot Dogs...

 

[Joker]

I don’t know if this is a joke or if you really did that

We actually did it. They just said don’t get in the water. Look up LA river expeditions. It was through the natural part, not the concrete section. The rapids might have been 6” max. My wife got stuck in a tree and they had to dislodge her.

 

[brgrcru]

hog wash! southern California is a desert.

 

[Taboma]

Those of you who grew up in LA, Riverside and Orange County, may find this historical reference map of interest --- "Kirkman - Harriman, Pictorial and Historical Map of LA County 1860 to 1937 (Copyright 1938)".
Due to it's huge file size, I've slightly reduced it. If you're interested in the original size or others of the 130,000 + other online maps available for viewing, export, or purchase ---- https://www.davidrumsey.com/

This map:

Pictorial and Historical Map of Old Los Angeles County.

Title on map: The Kirkman-Harriman pictorial and historical map of Los Angeles county: 1860 A.D. .. Complete title from cover: "Pictorial and Historical map of Old Los Angeles County showing many famous points of historic interest: Famous Gold Mines in this County; Ancient Indian Villages in...

www.davidrumsey.com

 

[Paradox]

Late '50s, the area around LAX would flood whenever there was a decent rain. I lived in a little neighborhood, Manchester Square, bordered by Century, Aviation, La Tiejera, and Arbor Vitae. (It's where the new Rental car complex is now, for location reference) We would build rafts and float through the drainage ditches. We almost made it to Ballona Creek a couple times. Those ditches have all been replaced by underground drains, which drain fresh water directly into the ocean.)

I grew up in Manchester Square. We lived in a duplex on 99th. Late 60s forward. Still have friends from there. Before that, we were where Parking Lot C now stands.

 

[LazyLavey]

Los Angeles Wash?

I prefer "Gutter". lol

 

[LazyLavey]

I see, so your definition of a legit river is a natural one with no man made flood control intervention ? What about dams ?

if the body of water is fed by gutter water... it is what it is.

 

[Ziggy]

I prefer "Gutter". lol

Needs a Leaf(akahomeless) Filter.

 

[Taboma]

if the body of water is fed by gutter water... it is what it is.

Cool, so please point out the river you're so proud of that passes through a large metropolitan area, that's an exception to your definition ?

 

[HTTP404]

Cool, so please point out the river you're so proud of that passes through a large metropolitan area, that's an exception to your definition ?

The San Antonio River is pretty cool.

 

[BoatCop]

I grew up in Manchester Square. We lived in a duplex on 99th. Late 60s forward. Still have friends from there. Before that, we were where Parking Lot C now stands.

Our place was on the corner of Hindry Ave and Hindry Place. We were there from '58 to '63. I went to 98th Street School for K & 1st, then St. John Chrysostom for 2nd, but moved to Hawthorne when my folks split up and sold the home in '63.

 

[Taboma]

The San Antonio River is pretty cool.

There's a lot of beautiful rivers flowing through a lot of cities worldwide, I fully agree with that.
What I don't believe is, the definition that because it receives street run-off, it's no longer a river, but a storm drain.

Officially that makes the Colorado River, one very large storm drain.

 

[4Waters]

There's a lot of beautiful rivers flowing through a lot of cities worldwide, I fully agree with that.
What I don't believe is, the definition that because it receives street run-off, it's no longer a river, but a storm drain.

Officially that makes the Colorado River, one very large storm drain.

Actually, the LA River is a sewer

 

[Taboma]

The San Antonio River is pretty cool.

Yet, by Lazy Lavey's definition, unfortunately, it's a beautiful storm drain --- oopsie.

• Stormwater Runoff:
  In urban areas, rainwater flows over surfaces like streets, sidewalks, and parking lots, picking up pollutants like oil, grease, pet waste, and sediment.
  
  
• Untreated Discharge:
  This runoff is then channeled into storm drains and directly into the San Antonio River and its creeks, without undergoing any treatment or filtration.
  
  
• Pollution Source:
  This untreated runoff is a major source of pollution for the San Antonio River watershed, impacting water quality and harming wildlife.
  
  
• Impacts:
  The pollutants in the runoff can lead to decreased water quality, making the river unsafe for swimming, fishing, and other recreational activities.
  
  
• Solutions:
  The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) and the City of San Antonio are working on solutions to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality, including promoting green infrastructure and low impact development.

 

[Taboma]

Actually, the LA River is a sewer

a really really big one when it's overflowing it's banks as it's San Gabriel mountain water shed flushes it's toilets.

 

[4Waters]

a really really big one when it's overflowing it's banks as it's San Gabriel mountain water shed flushes it's toilets.

What the homeless do in the streets and in the river it's a sewer. The homeless and demo....nevermind..... really know how to screw up a beautiful thing

 

[HNL2LHC]

I prefer "Gutter". lol

We grew up with a drainage canal behind our home growing up. It was a great way to spend a rainy day moss sliding down the concrete path. We called it the ditch. All was good until the day that I was swept down the 45 degree slope of no return and almost to the marina 3 blocks away. I was lucky to exit with brother and cousin pulling me out. It was a fun and games until that day. LOL.

 

[Taboma]

What the homeless do in the streets and in the river it's a sewer. The homeless and demo....nevermind..... really know how to screw up a beautiful thing

I have a plan for that, but it's not exactly charitable and considered by many to be inhumane.
I call it, "Survivor island: Work or Die" Edition. Fun to watch live for the entire family

 

[Taboma]

By the way, any of you while checking out that map I posted for Indian burial grounds under your birthplace happened to notice the name of the Slough in the Gardenia area ? --- seems it was the best for duck hunting in So Cal at the time.
Later given ethnic consideration, it was renamed Dominguez Slough -- but on that map I posted it went by a far different name, one I find ironic given the current demographics of that area.

If any of you native born Angelinos is interested in a bit of a blog concerning it's history, here's a link.

Searching for Tom-or Joshua-down in Dominguez

OK. I need to begin by telling you that there is an offensive and insensitive word in this post, one that I regret being here, but that is also the genesis of my search. I apologize for its prese…

lacreekfreak.wordpress.com

 

[lbhsbz]

By the way, any of you while checking out that map I posted for Indian burial grounds under your birthplace happened to notice the name of the Slough in the Gardenia area ? --- seems it was the best for duck hunting in So Cal at the time.
Later given ethnic consideration, it was renamed Dominguez Slough -- but on that map I posted it went by a far different name, one I find ironic given the current demographics of that area.

If any of you native born Angelinos is interested in a bit of a blog concerning it's history, here's a link.

Searching for Tom-or Joshua-down in Dominguez

OK. I need to begin by telling you that there is an offensive and insensitive word in this post, one that I regret being here, but that is also the genesis of my search. I apologize for its prese…

lacreekfreak.wordpress.com

lol...I saw that

 

[DILLIGAF]

That guy drinking that water is an idiot.

 

[Paradox]

Our place was on the corner of Hindry Ave and Hindry Place. We were there from '58 to '63. I went to 98th Street School for K & 1st, then St. John Chrysostom for 2nd, but moved to Hawthorne when my folks split up and sold the home in '63.

The better part of the area , I went to Westchester Lutheran, Orville Wright Jr. High (I guess now known as Middle School) and then Westchester High.

 

[Taboma]

Intrigued by the previously N-word named Dominguez Slough, and especially it's reputation for duck hunting, I kept digging.
Found some interesting articles on how bad it stunk since there was no outlet and anything and everything that died remained and decayed.

But of real interest was this December 1894 Article in the News Herald that followed the stinky N-Swamp article ------ Now this is something you don't read in the newspaper every day

 

[4Waters]

Those of you who grew up in LA, Riverside and Orange County, may find this historical reference map of interest --- "Kirkman - Harriman, Pictorial and Historical Map of LA County 1860 to 1937 (Copyright 1938)".
Due to it's huge file size, I've slightly reduced it. If you're interested in the original size or others of the 130,000 + other online maps available for viewing, export, or purchase ---- https://www.davidrumsey.com/

This map:

https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/se...vq=q:Los Angeles;lc:RUMSEY~8~1&mi=48&trs=996#

View attachment 1489606

It would be cool to see that map layed on top of a current map