Country United States Purpose Flood control Opening date 1940 Length 3,219 m Opened 1940 Impound Tujunga Wash | Location San Fernando Valley Status Operational Impounds Tujunga Wash Height 30 m Construction began 1939 | |
 | ||
Owner United States Army Corps of Engineers Similar Tujunga Wash, Sepulveda Dam, Equidome, Big Tujunga Creek, Discovery Cube Los Angeles | ||
Hansen Dam is a flood control dam in the northeastern San Fernando Valley, in the Lake View Terrace neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District in 1940. Hansen Dam was named after horse ranchers Homer and Marie Hansen, who established a ranch in the 19th century.
Contents
Map of Hansen Dam, Pacoima, CA 91331, USA
The Hansen Dam Recreation Center is located in the flood control basin and surrounding slopes behind the dam.
Geography
Hansen Dam and its now seasonal lake are located along the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley on Tujunga Wash. Tujunga Wash begins between the San Gabriel Mountains and Verdugo Mountains. The dam is 1 mile (1.6 km) downstream from the confluence of the Big Tujunga Creek and Little Tujunga Creek-Wash. It is southeast of the City of San Fernando.
History
The Los Angeles Flood of 1938, which included significant flooding along the Tujunga Wash and at its confluence with the Los Angeles River, increased support to dam and channelize the city's creeks and rivers. In 1939, due to repeated flooding and damage caused by them in the eastern portions of the San Fernando Valley, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began the project. In 1939 the Corps, by use of eminent domain, seized the horse ranch land of Homer and Marie Hansen to build to dam. The 2-mile (3.2 km) long, 97-foot (30 m) high dam was built to control the runoff and floodwaters.
Hansen Dam Recreation Center
The Hansen Dam Recreation Center and Park are located here, with extensive day use facilities operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. Most facilities are accessed from Highways 5 and/or 210.
The Orcas-Gabreieleno Equestrian Center and Hansen Dam Aquatic Center are located behind the dam here, and Hansen Dam Golf Course in front.
Recreation Center and Park features a moderate size lake which is filled with circulated drinking water and offers fishing and public boating. The lake is open year-round, including holidays, but may be closed during times of severe weather or for planned events. Also at the site is located a smaller swim lake which features water that is filtered and chlorinated and has a capacity of 2,800 swimmers.
The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks provides lifeguards who service to the three lakes within the flood control basin.
The recreation center and park areas also have: picnic tables and barbecue pits, children's play areas; and baseball diamonds and soccer fields.
The park features equestrian and walking trails, that link to those exploring the nearby Angeles National Forest, and a walking pathway along the dam's top. The habitats include montane chaparral and woodlands and riparian in the rustic areas.
The Hansen Dam Park natural area's ecology is being restored, with invasive plants removal and native plant reintroduction. The proposed National Park Service Rim of the Valley Corridor and trails would include Hansen Dam Park as a significant hub with trailheads.