Devil’s Gate Sediment Hauling Will Give Neighbors a Break for Two Days, Thursday and Friday

For those living in the area, regardless of their position on restoration, an announcement that the Devil’s Gate dirt haul will shut down for two days can’t help but come as good news.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works said there will be no dirt hauling from the Devil’s Gate Sediment Removal site on Thursday and Friday, October 24 and 25, after the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning in the area.

Devil’s Gate Dam is in Pasadena and the whole sediment removal project area is on the boundaries between Pasadena and La Canada Flintridge and Altadena.

“The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for this Thursday and Friday due to gusty winds and very low humidity,” said a notice from the LA County Public Works Department. “A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected. Therefore, there will be no hauling operations on Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25. Hauling operations will resume Monday, October 28. The project team thanks you for your patience.”

The L.A. County Public Works Department started hauling sediment from the reservoir late last year as part of a four-year effort to increase flood protection for communities downstream of Devil’s Gate Dam and to restore habitat within a popular section of the Arroyo Seco watershed.

Under the project, Los Angeles County Public Works will remove 1.7 million cubic yards of sediment from the reservoir immediately behind the nearly 100-year-old dam.

In addition to providing flood relief to communities that have endured nearly a decade of elevated flood risk along the Arroyo Seco, the project will establish a permanent stormwater maintenance area that allows for the creation of 70 acres of enhanced habitat and recreational opportunities for local communities.

Hauling operations have been halted a number of times as the county’s Public Works Department made adjustments to the hauling procedures and the route, in response to complaints about dust pollution and other issues from communities near the dam.

Last month, hauling operations were suspended for about a month as the county developed a more comprehensive hauling plan, which now includes adding a second tire wash to the trucks leaving the reservoir.

Sediment from the reservoir is being hauled to Vulcan Materials Company’s Sheldon Pit in Sun Valley. County Public Works is coordinating with the South Coast Air Quality Management District to closely monitor the streets to ensure all dust issues are addressed in a timely manner.

To learn more about the Devil’s Gate Reservoir Restoration Project, visit https://pw.lacounty.gov/swe/devilsgate/about.shtml.

Devil’s Gate Dam was built in the 1920s and got the name because of the rock formation’s resemblance to Satan.

Nowadays, Devil’s Gate Dam is a hotbed for adventurous hikers, paranormal activity investigators and has been featured on numerous TV shows about the world’s most haunted places.