Envision Sustainability Rating: Sun Valley Watershed Multi-Benefit Project

The Sun Valley Watershed Multi-Benefit Project is a first-of-its-kind venture geared toward managing stormwater for the Sun Valley watershed to provide flood protection, improve watershed health, and increase open space and recreational opportunities, as well as increase wildlife habitat. The Sun Valley watershed is historically plagued with several watershed health issues, such as severe flooding, poor water quality, and industrial and residential urbanization. The watershed lacks a comprehensive storm drain system and consequently suffers from chronic, severe flooding during moderate storm events. During these events, intersections are inundated, and stormwater on major streets resemble river flows. In 2001 Los Angeles County led a comprehensive effort to address all of the watershed health issues in Sun Valley through a multibenefit approach. A group of stakeholders was assembled to form the Sun Valley Watershed Stakeholders Group. The group aims to develop long term solutions to the chronic flooding issues that provide additional benefits to the community. This group consists of local and federal agencies, government offices, environmental groups, local businesses, conservation agencies and residents of the community. The mission of the Sun Valley Watershed Stakeholders Group is to solve the local flooding problem while retaining all stormwater runoff from the watershed, increasing water conservation, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat, and reducing stormwater pollution. This led to the development of the Sun Valley Watershed Management Plan, which identified 15 pilot components that collectively achieve the established watershed goals. Since the development of this plan, four of the components have been constructed and an additional four are in the planning and design phases. The Sun Valley Watershed Multi-Benefit Project encompasses the following eight constructed and proposed components: Valley steam plant, Tuxford Green, Sun Valley Park drain and infiltration system, Rory M Shaw Wetlands Park, Sun Valley Watershed upper storm drain system and recycled water line, Elmer Avenue Neighborhood retrofit, Elmer Avenue Paseo, and Whitnall powerline easement. The SunValley Watershed Multi-Benefit Project represents a blue ribbon project that has successfully integrated a balanced approach in design in an economically, environmentally, and socially responsible way.