User:Ijcruz/sandbox

Hansen Dam Draft (Outline)

• Possible new section about what the dam does or addition to the lead section:
  • During times of storms and flooding, the design of the dam is intended to catch water within the reservoir. Provisions in the dam's standards of operation facilitate water conservation efforts coordinated with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. The provisions allow the dam to discharge water onto spreading grounds, which then percolates into groundwater recharge basins and is stored as part of the city's water supply.
• Under the "History" section add the following:

The Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD) had worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the project

They had already considered planning to implement flood risk management within the area since 1915 after a previous set of floods.

After a year of construction and over $11 million in initial costs, the dam and its corresponding facilities were finished.

• the dam contains a 1,300-acre reservoir, which is sometimes referred to as Hansen Lake. The spillway structure, outlet works and channel are located near the center of the Dam's rock embankment. The embankment itself follows a slight curve that creates a natural barrier by connecting the hills at either end of the dam.

spillway structure

• Accumulation of debris from previous floods reduced the amount of storage capacity of the reservoir. As a result, in 1981, the Corps proposed raising the height of the dam rather than starting the expensive process of removing the build up of silt, sand, gravel and other debris. However, the proposal did not pass, and responsibility was redirected back to the Corps providing maintenance of the dam. The Corps must occasionally excavate sediment and vegetative debris to clear clogged outlet works and maintain full capacity of the dam.

• In the mid-1940s, the Hansen Dam Basin's recreational possibilities were considered as it attracted thousands of visitors every year. Development of recreational facilities began in 1952 with the creation of Holiday Lake, which became frequent stomping grounds for swimmers, boaters, and fishermen. By 1991, the lake had become completely infilled with sediment and was abandoned.

The basin is a resource of large open space for the Los Angeles region. A large portion of the area remains undeveloped in an effort to conserve natural habitats and maintain the diverse animal and plant species.

Discovery Cube LA

The Discovery Cube Los Angeles is located at the northwest corner of the recreation area on the intersection of Osborne St. and Foothill Blvd. It was built in November 2014 and was intended to serve as an extension campus of the Discovery Cube Orange County. Its purpose is to engage young minds and stimulate innovation and creativity through hands-on exhibits. The science-based programs and activities are part of the nonprofit Discovery Science Foundation's effort to provide an accessible, interactive learning space that enhances participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), healthy living and environmental awareness. It has a mix of both traveling and permanent exhibits, which includes featuring work done by the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation for waste reduction and resource conservation. It also has sponsored areas by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power that educate visitors about sustainability, water conservation and preserving natural resources.

Recreational Assets

Signage at Hansen Dam

• Discovery Cube Los Angeles

• Aquatic Center
• Playground
• Skate Park
• Picnic Area
• Campgrounds
• Sports Center
• Equestrian Center
• Bike Trail

Article evaluation

Los Angeles Aqueduct

Most everything in the article is relevant to the aqueduct, but there are moments when I was distracted by the authors' comments on the impact of the aqueduct and its involvement in the development of the city of Los Angeles. While its impact is important to note, the article refers multiple times to how water collection was used to control surrounding communities and eventually eliminated the agricultural viability and ecosystem of Owen's Valley. The article does rely on reliable sources, however, to make these references as the controversial nature of the topic is well documented and the city has even been subject to policies that mitigate its impact. The only part within the article that seems a bit out of place to me is the section on the Saint Francis Dam and its failure.

After checking a few citations, I was able to confirm some of the statements made in the article. Many sources lead back to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power website. Everything that I checked within the references appears up-to-date since history is not changed and neither have the views expressed within the article.

Most of the entries on the Talk page refer to issues regarding facts within or omitted from the Final Report of the aqueduct. There are also concerns over structure of the article and the separation of certain elements. It is rated as "start-class" and is within the scope of Wikiproject California. The article talks about the purpose of the aqueduct and some of the environmental impacts it has had on Owen's Valley, much like in class; however, it goes a little deeper in the history of the project and Mulholland's involvement in its inception and expansion as a strategy to develop parts of Los Angeles like the San Fernando Valley.