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LA River Fish Habitat Pilot Project – Reach 8A

 

LA River Fish Habitat Pilot Project – Reach 8A

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The City of Los Angeles (LA), led by the Bureau of Engineering (BOE), proposes the LA River Fish Habitat Pilot Project – Reach 8A to help restore and enhance aquatic habitats for native Southern California steelhead within the LA River watershed. This pilot project aims to create a successful migration and resting corridor for steelhead within an approximately quarter-mile section of the concrete lined LA River in downtown LA. 

 

 

 

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Learn About the Design Process - video

Scope of Work

LAFRH

The pilot project will finalize designs, permits and implement features within the low flow channel of the LA River adding channel complexity through boulder-type structures and resting pools to help reduce flow velocities and create habitat features to support fish passage. The Project is located within the LA River Concrete Channel just downstream of the North Main Street crossing and extending approximately 1,300 feet (!¼ mile) downstream, in the Central City North Community Plan Area of the City.

 

 

Timeline

The LA River Fish Habitat Pilot Project – Reach 8A is a continuation of long-standing efforts to restore and enhance the Southern California steelhead population and its critical habitat within the LA River watershed. This project builds on earlier technical studies, ecological modeling, and design work conducted by various partners, including the US Bureau of Reclamation, Council for Watershed Health, and the City of Los Angeles. For more information on these earlier phases, click here.

  • January 2020 LAR FPHS Project (Los Angeles River Fish Passage and Habitat Structures Project) initiated.
  • June 2021 (Los Angeles River Fish Passage Restoration Project) launched to supplement the design phase of the LAR FPHS Project.
  • May 2022 60% Basis of Design Report for Los Angeles River Fish Passage and Habitat Structures Design completed.
  • 2022-2025 Continued efforts to secure funding for 100% design, permitting, and construction. Grants were secured from CA Wildlife Conservation Board and CA Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2024. The Consultant RFP for the final design was released in 2024 and awarded in 2025. 

In June 2025, the project work on the final design resumed. The City of LA selected Geosyntec Consultants and their bench of subconsultants including Stillwater Sciences, Lee Andrews Group, Northwest Hydraulics Consultants, VCA Engineers, Scout Environmental, Calvada Surveying, Eco & Associates, and McMillen to complete final modeling, engineering and design, agency permitting, community engagement, construction documents, construction management, and monitoring plans. 

Upcoming Community and Stakeholder Meetings

Technical Advisory Group Meetings (periodically)

Public agencies, tribal nations, and community partners review project progress, provide technical feedback, and help guide the design and permitting process.

Community Meeting #1 In-Person

Join us in-person to learn about the project, ask questions, and share your input on the LA River Fish Habitat Pilot Project.

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/LARCM1 

Date: January 28, 2026

Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm

Location: Sierra Madre Room at the LA River Center and Gardens

570 W Avenue 26, Los Angeles, CA 90065 

Community Meeting #2 Virtual

Join us virtually to learn about the project, ask questions, and share your input on the LA River Fish Habitat Pilot Project.

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/LARCM2 

Webinar ID: 854 1399 6656

Call-in Number: (669) 444-9171

Frequently Asked Questions

When do steelhead migrate? 

Steelhead typically move at the tail end of storm events. Due to the length of the LA River and the current lack of resting habitat, LA River steelhead would be moving over several storm events.

Are native rainbow trout (O. mykiss) currently attempting to migrate down from the Arroyo Seco?

There are currently thousands of native rainbow trout in the Arroyo Seco above Devil’s Gate Dam and below Brown Mountain Dam. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is actively monitoring this trout population. LA County opens the tunnels at Devil’s Gate Dam to release water during high flow events as part of its flood management operations. According to CDFW, trout have likely moved down the Arroyo Seco during such high flow events, but their fate is unknown. The City of LA and other river champions have been implementing improvements and recommendations for steelhead recovery and flows.

What about steelhead migrating from the ocean upstream? How will they get to Reach 8A in downtown LA, for example?  

CDFW has documented steelhead migrating from the ocean to the nearby San Gabriel River as far upstream as the confluence with Coyote Creek, nearly four miles. Since the LA River historically supported steelhead migration, it is possible that steelhead are also attempting to migrate up the LA River. Trout Unlimited is leading a fish passage and habitat enhancement project in the lower LA River. The City of Los Angeles will be the first to implement fish passage in the LA River as part of a larger program to provide wildlife connectivity, fish migration, biodiversity, and access to nature across the watershed and its tributaries.  

What changes will need to occur for the City of LA and others to support steelhead needs from an operational and broader regional standpoint? 

This is where the LA River CEFF project can help the City and others work together to meet multiple goals and make decisions collaboratively toward steelhead recovery and broader ecological management needs to find win-win solutions for our communities and future generations. For example, what operational levers can be adjusted to provide more flows during migratory periods and achieve ecological objectives for focal species?

What about water temperature?  The LA River temperatures get very warm during the summer and fall.  With climate change, how will steelhead do in the LA River watershed?   

From spring to early fall, water temperatures are too warm for steelhead in the mainstem LA River. However, water temperatures everywhere in the LA River watershed are cool enough for steelhead during their typical migration period. Steelhead mainly migrate upstream from the ocean (adults) and downstream from rearing tributaries (juveniles) during high flows that occur in the winter rainy season, when temperatures are cooler. 

Due to the high water temperatures and lack of habitat, the LA River mainstem is only expected to serve as a migration corridor for steelhead, even after passage and habitat improvements are completed. Year-round water temperatures and habitat conditions at some soft-bottom locations in the mainstem could possibly support other native fish such as arroyo chub, but none are currently present.

So, does this mean we may see steelhead return to the LA River in our lifetime?  

The fact that native rainbow trout are already in the headwaters and likely moving down the LA River during high flow events is reason enough to believe that steelhead will return in our lifetime, provided we act now to remove barriers to steelhead recovery.

Documents and Resources

Fish Passage Projects Overview

More Information on Steelhead Recovery

Design Documents for Reach 8A

  • 60% Basis of Design Report - Los Angeles River Fish Habitat Structures Design
  • Reach 8A 60% Design Drawings Excerpt – Los Angeles River Fish Passage & Habitat Structures Design (Coming Soon)

Community Meetings Material

  • Outreach Presentation (Coming Soon)

Contact Us

For more information about this project, please contact us at eng.fishpilot@lacity.org