Reviving the Los Angeles River

Councilmember LaBonge pouring water from the Isar River from Munich, Germany into the Los Angeles River.

In the hope of achieving as much success revitalizing the Los Angeles River as Munich has experienced with the Isar River, Councilmember Tom LaBonge held a symbolic mingling of the waters of the two rivers today.
The Isar River, which flows through Munich, was once a concrete-lined flood control channel, much like the Los Angeles River. A major revitalization project turned the Isar into a river where children now swim and people actually surf! Click here for more info. A five-member delegation from Munich was in Los Angeles to meet with key players in the Los Angeles River revitalization and share expertise on the Isar project.
“We can learn a lot from those who revitalized the Isar River,” said Councilmember LaBonge. “Having been there and seen the river, I can still feel its mist on my face. That’s how impressive the transformation has been.”

The Isar River delegation is hosted by the Goethe-Institut of Los Angeles, the L.A. City Council Ad Hoc Los Angeles River Committee and Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR).
“I essentially see this as a blessing,” said Lewis MacAdams, founder of FoLAR and president of its board of directors. “This is not only a mingling of the waters, but a blessing of the ideas from the Munich delegation. Together, we’re planting a seed in the Los Angeles River.”
Added Bernd Desinger, Executive Director of the Goethe Institut: “Everybody you talk to in Los Angeles wants to see the river reclaimed and beautified. The Isar provides the vision of how we can bring this idea to life.”
The Munich delegation members are Hep Monatzeder, Deputy Mayor (Green Party); Ralf Wulf, Head of the Dept. of Engineering and Waterways; Dr. Klaus Arzet, Head of the State Office of Water Management; Ulrich Illing, Head of the Dept. of Urban Planning and Daniella Schaufuss, Isar Plan Manager.