Stormwater and Urban Runoff

The latest MS4 Permit was adopted by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board on November 8, 2012, and became effective December 28, 2012. In addition to the LACFCD and County, the Permit is also issued to 84 municipalities within the County (the cities of Palmdale, Lancaster, Avalon, and Long Beach are excluded). Each Permittee is responsible for implementing its own stormwater program. 

The new MS4 Permit presents major challenges including extensive monitoring requirements and the incorporation of 33 Total Maximum Daily Load regulations (learn more about TMDLs).

The new MS4 Permit also represents a shift in the way stormwater is regulated in the region. For the first time, a stormwater permit provides Permittees with incentives for integrated water planning. By combining water supply and water quality planning, Permittees can attract funding partners to build projects with multiple benefits.  This new approach and look forward to working with stakeholders and partners to find, plan, and build exciting projects in the coming years.

Enhanced Watershed Management Programs and Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Plans

Ballona Creek

Enhanced Watershed Management Program for the Ballona Creek Watershed(PDF, 22MB)

Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program (CIMP) for the Ballona Creek Watershed(PDF, 17MB)

Marina Del Rey

Marina del Rey Enhanced Watershed Management Program Plan(PDF, 22MB)

Marina del Rey Coordinated Integrated Monitoring Program(PDF, 18MB)

View the GIS MAP Story Book for current project locations, project timeline and their respective estimated cost.  

CULVER BOULEVARD REALIGNMENT & URBAN STORMWATER PROJECT

Construction in progress

The Culver Boulevard Realignment Project is the continuation of the widening of Culver Boulevard that was completed by Caltrans as part of the 405 Freeway widening in 2009.  This project will resolve traffic issues along this stretch of Culver Boulevard; and provide for a safer and more aesthetically pleasing street.  The eastbound and westbound lanes of traffic is proposed to be separated with a new raised median.

Stormwater Quality Master Plan (in development) 

The objective of the Master Plan is to develop a short-term (5 year) and long-term (10 year) planning tool that will identify potential Regional Projects, Green Streets Projects, and Low Impact Development Projects to collectively meet the City’s water quality compliance goals.  The Master Plan shall incorporate factors in the BMP selection such as, but not limited to, City’s planned projects, Los Angeles Region Imagery Acquisition Consortium (LARIAC) to generate planimetric data, land use, hydrology, historical high groundwater levels, storm drain and sanitary sewer systems, in considering opportunities of potential projects.  The Master Plan shall include for each project: cost estimates, summary pollutant reduction per project and BMP alternatives. 

Mesmer (In progress. Working on applicable permit requirements) 

The City is proposing a dry weather diversion project that will capture low flow run-off from the Centinela Creek Channel (channel) by way of at grade trench drain into the City’s Mesmer Sewer Pump Station. 

Projects Completed 

See the transformation of Culver City's Transfer Station both above and below ground in our Transfer Station Stormwater Project video: 

 The 5 Rain Garden Locations:

• Ballona Creek Rain Garden – north side of Ballona Creek between Overland Avenue and Pedestrian Bridge;
• Lindblade Street Rain Garden – south side of Lindblade Street, east of Sepulveda Boulevard;
• Baldwin Avenue Rain Garden – west and eastside of Baldwin Avenue, north of Farragut Drive;
• Public Works Maintenance Yard Rain Garden – 9505 Jefferson Boulevard; and
• Transfer Station Rain Garden – 9255 Jefferson Boulevard (Does not include vegetation East of Transfer Station)

Baldwin Avenue Rain Garden