Endangered Species And Wildlife Committee Joins Bull Creek Restoration Project

The Bull Creek Restoration Project will include pedestrian bridges to increase public access and protect immature plants. Photos by Juancarlos Chan

The Sepulveda Basin is a 2,097-acre federal flood control reservoir located on the upper Los Angeles River in the San Fernando Valley. It is designated federal land and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps currently leases 1,527 acres to the City of Los Angeles for recreational purposes, which include the only recognized Wildlife Area, of 200+ acres, in the City. Several beautiful natural creeks wind their way throughout the Basin, including Bull Creek.

Over the years, urbanization has heavily impacted this stream and its wildlife habitat, and continued urbanization is expected to diminish useful habitat in the future.

A Bull Creek Bird Photo by Juancarlos Chan

The Bull Creek Restoration Project has restored native riparian and upland habitat to this severely degraded area of the Sepulveda Dam Flood Control Basin and has restored 28 acres of aquatic, riparian and native upland habitat, enhancing wildlife resources along the Bull Creek channel. It will provide additional foraging, nesting, cover and resting opportunities for wildlife indigenous to the region, and will minimize further degradation of existing riparian habitat. Funding for this project was provided through a federally-funded grant for stream restoration.

Some of the features of this project include bridges to provide pedestrian and maintenance access, connecting on both sides to pedestrian trails and to serve as overlooks into the habitat areas, releasing of reclaimed water from Lake Balboa into the channel to increase the flow, and interpretive nodes to offer educational opportunities. Although low mesh fences guard the immature native plants and trees in different areas, we expect that the current beauty of the area will be spectacular when the full native landscaping comes of age.

To learn more and to get involved, contact Rosemarie White at 818-769-1521.