Burbank Western Channel (also known as Burbank Western Wash) is a 6.3-mile-long (10.1 km)[1] tributary of the Los Angeles River in the eastern San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County, California.
| Burbank Western Channel | |
|---|---|
 The Burbank Western Channel at Magnolia Blvd. | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Sun Valley, California |
| Mouth | |
• location | Los Angeles River, California |
| Length | 6.3 mi (10.1 km) |
The stream begins at the confluence of Hansen Heights Channel and La Tuna Canyon Lateral in Sun Valley. It runs adjacent to Interstate 5 for most of its length and is entirely encased in a concrete flood control channel. The stream travels southeast through downtown Burbank, the Riverside Rancho area of Glendale, ultimately joining the Los Angeles River by the edge of the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.
In 1991, the city of Burbank was sued by the EPA for allowing companies to exceed discharge limits into the channel.[2] Leading pollutants in the stream include algae, ammonia, cadmium, odors, unnatural scum/foam, and trash.[3]
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has planned to allocate $700,000 to repair the channel wall which is "currently in danger of failing."[4]
In October 2009, Burbank reached an agreement with the state on the 12 mile San Fernando Bikeway, a new bicycle path along San Fernando Boulevard from Sylmar to Burbank. This would include a portion next to the channel that connects to the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station.[5]
Crossings and tributaries edit
From mouth to source (year built in parentheses):[6]
- Los Angeles Equestrian Center [Pedestrian/Equestrian Bridge]
- Riverside Drive (1940)
- Victory Boulevard (1940)
- West Alameda Avenue (1949)
- West Elmwood Avenue [Pedestrian Bridge]
- South Lake Street/West Providencia Avenue (1949)
- West Verdugo Avenue (1949)
- Abandoned Railroad
- West Olive Avenue (1949)
- East Magnolia Boulevard (1949)
- Abandoned Railroad
- Abandoned Railroad
- Submerged from South Front Street to Interstate 5
- Submerged under North San Fernando Boulevard past Landis Street
- North Buena Vista Street/Winona Avenue (1958)
- Ramps from and to Interstate 5 (1960)
- Cohasset Street (1958)
- North Hollywood Way (1962)
- Lanark Street (1962)
- Glenoaks Boulevard (1962)
- Nettleton Street (1961)
Hansen Heights Channel edit
- Vinedale Street
- Penrose Street
- La Tuna Canyon Road
- Tuxford Street
- Private road
- Sunland Boulevard
- Pendleton Street
- Clybourn Avenue
- Submerged past Stonehurst Avenue
La Tuna Canyon Lateral edit
- Vinedale Street
- Jordan Lane
- Private road
- Village Avenue
- Wildwood Avenue
- Martindale Avenue
- Morning Glow Way
- Private roads x5
- La Tuna Canyon Road
References edit
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map Archived 2012-03-29 at the Wayback Machine, accessed March 16, 2011
- ^ Braxton, Greg (1991-05-05). "Burbank Admits to Lax Enforcement of Toxic Waste Rules". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ^ "Clean Water Act Status: Burbank Western Channel". Scorecard. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ^ "Civil Works Expenditure Plan Operation AND Maintenance" (PDF). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2009-08-19. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ^ "Another bikeway on tap for city". Burbank Leader. 2009-10-06. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ^ "National Bridge Inventory Database". Archived from the original on 2013-10-31. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Burbank Western Channel