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Upper San Gabriel River Watershed

James Cortes Rivera
Day One
USGR_WC@pw.lacounty.gov

The Upper San Gabriel Watershed is among the largest in Southern California, and includes the cities of Pomona, West Covina, Diamond Bar, Baldwin Park, Monrovia, and unincorporated LA County

The Upper San Gabriel River Watershed drains directly into the San Gabriel River and then into the Pacific Ocean. It contains a mix of urban areas in the southern section and more rural, mountainous areas in the northern section. This watershed features many projects that capture stormwater by creating new green spaces in residential areas. Other tributaries in this watershed include the Big Dalton Wash, San Dimas Wash, Live Oak Wash, and San Jose Creek. 

I’ve always been in environmental work in one way or another, whether it’s research or analysis of current issues in Los Angeles. But I’ve also done a lot of work with financial inequality in different communities, and it’s clear that financial inequality and environmental inequality are two sides of the same coin. 

I see myself as a bridge to help residents—specifically historically marginalized residents—address environmental injustices and capture more water through the Safe, Clean Water Program. We have a really strong emphasis on creating community benefits that residents and their families will benefit from for generations. Simply put, the way we increase water supply is by increasing green space. 

– Your Watershed Coordinator James

Get in touch with James to learn about how we can create exciting water capture projects in your community

From the Community

  • All of the stone in the Los Angeles Coliseum at USC came from the Upper San Gabriel River.
  • Public Works infrastructure community bus tour 😎 (LA County Public Works)
  • Canyon Loop Trail (City of Diamond Bar)
  • The Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area has some of LA County's best fishing opportunities and walking trails.
  • Morris Reservoir (LA County Public Works)
  • Claremont Loop community hike (James C.)
  • “We have to meet people where they are to be successful educators—that means in the community, and in multiple languages.”

    James Cortes Rivera
  • Outreach event at Civic Center Park (James C.)
  • San Gabriel River Basin (LA County Public Works)
  • Featured Project

    Lone Hill Stormwater Capture Project, San Dimas

    Using an underground filtration system, this project will capture stormwater at the Lone Hill Park site from a 219 acre drainage area north of the park. 

    • Reduce pollution entering San Dimas Wash and Charter Oak Creek
    • Provide park improvements including an ADA accessible special needs playground, parking lot, and drought tolerant garden with educational features.

Watershed Area Steering Committee Members

Watershed committee members work with the watershed coordinators to develop investment plans for their watershed.

Julie Carver

City of Pomona

Chair
Municipal

Julian Juarez

LA County Flood Control District

Agency

Tom Love

Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District

Agency

Kelly Gardner

Main San Gabriel Basin

Agency

Francisco Guerrero

LA County Sanitation Districts

Agency

Sean Woods

LA County Parks & Recreation

Agency

Drew Ready

Council for Watershed Health

Community

David Marquez

Urban Semillas

Community

David Diaz

Active SGV

Community

Romany Basilyous

Baldwin Park

Municipal

Stephanie Sandoval

City of Duarte

Municipal

Paul Fisher

City of Glendora

Municipal

Mathew Hudson

City of Industry

Municipal

Fernando Villaluna

Los Angeles County

Vice Chair
Municipal

Roberto Ortega

City of West Covina

Municipal

James Cortes Rivera

Day One

Watershed Coordinator
Non-voting Member

Upcoming Events

Events and meetings related to the Upper San Gabriel River watershed.

Find archived events prior to March 2024

Resources

Documents, facts sheets, links, and more related to the Upper San Gabriel River watershed.

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