What caused the LA flood of 1938?

The flood was caused by two Pacific storms that swept across the Los Angeles Basin in February-March 1938 and generated almost one year’s worth of precipitation in just a few days.

What year did LA River flood?

March 1938
In March 1938, the Catastrophic LA River Flood Devastated Los Angeles.

How much rainfall created the 1938 flood?

On Feb. 27 and 28, 1938, a storm soaked Southern California with 4.4 inches of rain.

What year did the Santa Ana River last flood and how did it damage Orange County?

On March 3, 1938, following days of heavy rain, the Santa Ana River again flooded much of Orange County. An eight-foot wall of water roared out of Santa Ana Canyon and destroyed the Mexican communities of Atwood and La Jolla, killing 43.

How long did the 1938 flood last?

Five-Day
The damage from this epic storm led to the construction of the many flood control channels which we are familiar with today. The Five-Day Deluge. It all started February 27, 1938, when 1.42 inches of rain fell on the Los Angeles area.

How deep is the LA River?

In the upstream portions of the Los Angeles River the sections are rectangular. Typical widths range from 60-120 feet and the typical depths are 12-20 feet.

Is there gold in the Santa Ana River?

In 1860, a much closer gold rush occurred in the San Bernardino Mountains when prospector William Holcomb discovered significant deposits, just over the northern drainage divide of the Santa Ana River. This discovery exploded into a full-scale gold mining operation in days.

Is the Santa Ana River polluted?

Parts of the Santa Ana River have found itself on the EPA’s list of polluted waterways, and for good reason. It has traditionally been a dumping ground for everything from urban runoff to wastewater, septic tanks, urban runoff, metallic waste, and animal manure.

When was Central California underwater?

For 43 days, from late 1861 to early 1862, it rained almost nonstop in central California. Rivers running down the Sierra Nevada mountains turned into torrents that swept entire towns away. The storm was caused by an atmospheric river, a large concentration of water vapour that can cause devastating storms.