The Los Angeles River, a vital waterway running 51 miles from the Simi Hills to the Pacific Ocean, is at the heart of a mission led by kayaker Melanie Winter. Winter, who has been kayaking the river since before it was legal in 2011, is dedicated to re-naturalizing the river and restoring its ecosystems. She has spent over 25 years advocating for the river’s transformation from a concrete channel back to its natural state.
Winter’s efforts focus on areas like the Sepulveda Basin, where the river retains its sandy basin and is surrounded by native trees. She has organized the removal of invasive plants and promoted the planting of native species to improve water quality and habitat. Winter believes that re-naturalizing the river could address multiple issues, such as the lack of green spaces in Los Angeles, which has only 0.2 acres of park per 1,000 people in some neighborhoods.
Despite her efforts, the Los Angeles River remains largely encased in concrete, a legacy of flood control measures from the 1930s. Plans like the $20 billion L.A. River Master Plan, designed with architect Frank Gehry, propose further concrete structures rather than removing existing ones. Winter criticizes these plans, arguing for an integrated watershed approach that would restore ecosystems and improve biodiversity.
Winter’s work includes the Water L.A. Initiative, which retrofitted residential parcels with rain tanks and permeable paving to capture and treat stormwater. These small-scale solutions, she argues, are more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than large engineering projects.
Winter’s commitment to the river is personal. Diagnosed with lung cancer, she continues to fight for her vision of a “living river.” Her efforts have already led to the creation of the 240-acre El Rio de Los Angeles State Park and other projects that aim to transform the river into a natural asset for the city.
Recent Comments