Nearly a century ago, William Mulholland's vision of reliable water supplies for a thirsty Los Angeles brought a remarkable system of water delivery and storage to the burgeoning metropolis.
Chatsworth Reservoir, near the headwaters of the Los Angeles River at the far western edge of the San Fernando Valley, was an important component of that masterful Department of Water and Power empire. But surely even the visionary Mr. Mulholland could not have foreseen that his legacy would take on a new, controversial dimension at the end of the 20th century.
Chatsworth Reservoir, not used for water storage since 1973, is intricately tied to economic realities that have caused the DWP to evaluate sale or other use of its properties.
Park and open space proponents and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy are concerned about ensuring the permanence of the last large natural area on the Valley floor, a critical component of the inter-mountain wildlife corridor.
The reservoir site, more than 1,300 acres of land where the Valley meets the Simi Hills, is a remarkable if de facto wildlife preserve and natural habitat. It is home to bobcats, mule deer, badgers, gray foxes, coyotes, and bird species by the dozens. Canada geese depend on the site as they make their way south along the Pacific Flyway on their yearly migration.
Valley oaks, the stately deciduous monarchs standing guard along the perimeter of the reservoir land, are remnants of the valley oak savanna plant community that is greatly diminished statewide. Rare or unusual plant species, such as the red-flowered form of bush monkeyflower, and salt-pan-type vegetation, continue to thrive. The property presents a serene, pastoral scene, notwithstanding the controversy over its fate.
City Councilman Hal Bernson has long led the charge to guarantee that the reservoir is permanently devoted to a natural park and wildlife preserve. And indeed, the DWP has kept a careful eye on the property, preserving it and maintaining it at considerable expense as a closed facility.
The sheer size of the property and escalating current land values have certainly not escaped the notice of DWP commissioners as they look at white elephants on their ledger sheets. Getting the dollar signs out of the eyes of some water and power commissioners won't be easy.
