L.A. River: Beyond drainage to a promising resource

Public works planners have long toiled over ways to spruce up the Los Angeles River without jeopardizing its mission of swiftly and safely channeling storm water away from populated areas. A revitalization plan approved this summer focuses on the 32 miles of the river in the city of Los Angeles. A 10-year-old county master plan has generated $100 million in projects. They have spawned a movement to convert the concrete ribbon into an appealing corridor for humans and wildlife to enjoy. In the first of an occasional series of graphics about the Los Angeles River, here’s a look at its present state: