TheFoothillsForum

Volunteers to bust dams built by swimmers in Angeles National Forest

Daily News Wire Services
Posted: 10/29/2011 05:05:49 PM PDT
Updated: 10/29/2011 05:08:06 PM PDT

TUJUNGA - Volunteers from a nonprofit organization plan to venture into the Angeles National Forest Sunday to dismantle a series of dams built by would-be swimmers along a creek in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Members of "Mis Hermanos Pequenitos" said they plan to "remove trash and dismantle dams built by water-play enthusiasts" along Big Tujunga Creek, a hot-weather getaway spot in the mountains north of Sunland-Tujunga.

Andres Altamirano, a spokesman for the effort, said the dams built over the years by forest visitors have altered habitat that "is needed by fish for feeding, cover and egg-laying."

An earlier cleanup by other volunteers collected eight large garbage bags full of litter, and volunteers dismantled seven dams, according to forest rangers. But larger unapproved dams remained.

Big Tujunga Creek is a 29-mile-long stream that rises north of Mount Wilson and flows year-round to Hansen Dam at Lake View Terrace. Its watershed was nearly entirely scorched by the Station Fire, but rangers say it is recovering.

The effort will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Wildwood Picnic Area in Big Tujunga Canyon.

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_19223607