Hahamongna is the topic at Altadena Heritage Feb. 19

How Hahamongna Fits In

Altadena Heritage is excited to offer this public forum that will put Hahamongna Watershed Park — and Los Angeles County’s controversial sediment-removal plan for Devil’s Gate Reservoir — into a larger context: its significance within the Arroyo Seco River System. Because of Hahamongna’s location between the sediment-producing San Gabriel mountains and the lower Arroyo Seco and Los Angeles River, which flows to the Pacific, it plays a vital role in the continued well-being of our most important local river system.

Two dynamic speakers will help us understand the geology, hydrology, history, and important role of this rich regional resource, and how the project as planned will impact the greater environment of Altadena, Pasadena and La Cañada Flintridge.

Dr. Dave Douglass is a geologist who earned his PhD at Dartmouth College and currently serves as a professor and Dean of the School of Science and Mathematics at Pasadena City College. Dr. Douglass will sketch out the geological big picture that is often poorly understood or completely omitted from public discussions of large public works undertakings such as the Devil’s Gate Reservoir Sediment-Removal and Management Project.

Tim Brick is Executive Director of the Arroyo Seco Foundation and former chair of the Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors; he represented Pasadena on MWD’s board for 30 years. Mr. Brick will fill us in on his foundation’s efforts to mitigate the current plan so that beyond protecting public safety, it also takes into account modern best practices of integrated resource management and taps opportunities to restore our region’s natural hydrology. Such an approach would benefit multiple users, communities, and the environment in and around Hahamongna Watershed Park.

There will be ample time for Q&A from the public. Civic and L.A. County Public Works leaders and water agency representatives have also been invited to participate.

This free event — open to the public — is part of Altadena Heritage’s continuing Sustainability Series, and will take place Thursday, February 19, at the Altadena Community Center (730 E. Altadena Dr.) from 7 to 9 PM. Light refreshments will be served. You must RSVP: altadenaheritage@earthlink.net.