DREAM OF RESTORING HANSEN DAM REALITY.Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer Hansen Dam Hansen Dam in Los Angeles County, California was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District in 1939 and 1940. The project is located near the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley on Tujunga Wash, about one mile below the confluence of the Big Tujunga Wash - once a prime recreational area of pristine lakes for fishing and swimming - will be restored to its former grandeur under a $7.6 million contract awarded Thursday by the Army Corps of Engineers. For nearly 15 years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time Hansen Dam area has deteriorated with dirt and residue filling the lakes despite protests from local community leaders and Rep. Howard Berman Howard Lawrence "Howie" Berman (born April 15 1941) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1983, representing the 28th District of California (map). , D-Mission Hills. Under the contract, Southwest Engineering Inc. of Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. will build a 1-1/2-acre lake for swimming and a nine-acre recreational lake. Other work will include construction of water treatment facilities, access roads and restrooms. Work is to be completed by March 1. ``This is an extremely important milestone,'' Berman said. ``It takes us one step closer to the day when Valley residents can swim, fish, picnic and relax at Hansen Dam.'' Berman said the project has been one of his top priorities because it is one of the few recreational areas available in the northeast San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . ``I can't tell you how important this is,'' said Councilman Joel Wachs Joel Wachs served for several terms as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 2nd district. He was first elected by defeating incumbent James B. Potter. While in office, Wachs chaired the Public Works Committee and vice-chair of the Environmental Quality & Waste Management , whose district abuts Hansen Dam. ``There was a time when this was a major recreational attraction for families and, now, it can be again. ``I remember how widely used this facility was and how tragic it has been that we haven't been able to restore it.'' Berman has been working since 1992 to see the project through, first winning funding some two years ago. The city is providing matching funds Noun 1. matching funds - funds that will be supplied in an amount matching the funds available from other sources cash in hand, finances, funds, monetary resource, pecuniary resource - assets in the form of money for the project and will be responsible for maintenance after the work is completed in March. The lake bed became unusable over the years because of the collection of silt and storm residue from the hillside areas. Plans also call for construction of a water filtration system, access roads and restrooms around the lakes, located southwest of Foothill Boulevard near the baseball diamonds. It also will be at a higher elevation than in the past to prevent it from being overrun with silt again. CAPTION(S): MAP MAP: HANSEN DAM RECREATION AREA |
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