Name that Location? Debris Flow

cambot20 · Post by **cambot20** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:20 pm

Hi all!
I found this photo when going through my dad's things after he passed away. I'm pretty sure it was taken after the February 10-11, 1973 storm that dropped 12" of rain on Mt Wilson. Does anyone recognize the skyline and wash? Any hunches on where this might have been taken? The flooding caused the collapse of the under construction 210 freeway bridge over Arroyo Seco, but this doesn't appear to be that bridge. I'm in Colorado now or else I'd go find this in person. Thank you so much for any help!

Post by **HikeUp** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:51 pm

That's looking up Big Tujunga Canyon from somewhere in Sunland area. Just about where Foothill and the 210 cross a wash just to west of Wentworth St.

Post by **dima** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 5:37 pm

Yeah. You win.

https://caltopo.com/view#ll=34.2659,-11 ... =6.1,57.39

Post by **HikeUp** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 5:37 pm

Big Tujunga floods: 1978 was a big flood. So was 1969 I think.

Post by **HikeUp** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 5:43 pm

dima wrote: Yeah. You win.

https://caltopo.com/view#ll=34.2659,-11 ... =6.1,57.39

That's Fox in the middle? Pointy.

Post by **Sean** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 5:44 pm

Yeah, that's the Foothill Blvd bridge across Big Tujunga Creek. But it's the south segment behind the Angeles National Golf Club, which opened in 2004.

Screenshot_2020-04-20-17-35-46.png

Post by **Sean** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 6:33 pm

Your dad's photo was taken from the 210 freeway crossing. Here's a near exact view.

Screenshot_2020-04-20-18-30-29~2.png

Post by **dima** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 7:32 pm

The peak in the middle is Condor, I think. Fox is behind the ridge to the right of that.

cambot20 · Post by **cambot20** » Mon Apr 20, 2020 8:28 pm

Thank you all so much for identifying the location! I also think this is from the 1978 event, not 1973. The only confounding factor is that the Foothill Blvd bridge over the southern branch of the wash is listed as being built in 1975 and no records of washing out. I assume the records aren't perfect.... There are also various photos here of houses buried in debris and mud and submerged cars, but this was the only photo I thought had any chance of finding an actual location, and I'm so happy you were able to help me. Thank you!

Post by **HikeUp** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:17 am

Previous thread about the 1978 flood. @mattmaxon

looking-for-information-regarding-1978- ... t5193.html

Post by **HikeUp** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:22 am

The bridge was washed out in 1978 according to this report...

Report on Floods of February and March 1978 in Southern California

By United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Los Angeles District

https://books.google.com/books?id=EsUPA ... ll&f=false

Post by **HikeUp** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 9:23 am

I'm "working" from home

lol

Post by **HikeUp** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 10:11 am

Edit the thread title to 1978?

Post by **Sean** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 10:20 am

I can edit the title if that's what Cambot wants and add a note about the change to avoid confusion in the OP.

Edit: Actually a less invasive approach would be to change 1973 to 1970s in the title, then I wouldn't need to add a note.

cambot20 · Post by **cambot20** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:03 am

Yes, please edit the title. Also thanks for the additional info!

Tom Kenney · Post by **Tom Kenney** » Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:26 pm

HA! 1978 would be the year my friends and I attempted to raft down Magnolia Blvd in Sherman Oaks.

cambot20 · Post by **cambot20** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 3:22 pm

I have an update - this is actually the 1969 flood event! I found a picture during the flooding from the LA library archives. Check them out side by side. This was a fun discovery. Feel free to change the title again ?

Post by **Sean** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 6:04 pm

Good find. I removed the date from the title.

This Environmental Impact Statement also confirms the 1969 date.

Screenshot_2020-04-23-18-59-02~2.png

I guess your dad's photo was taken from the bank or the Wentworth Place Bridge, pre-210 construction.

Post by **HikeUp** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 9:46 pm

Well done!