County Finishes Sluicing of Morris Reservoir

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has completed a controversial project to wash away a thick layer of mud and rocks at the bottom of Morris Reservoir northeast of Azusa, despite attempts by the city to stop the process.

County officials said Tuesday that about 500,000 tons of sediment were removed during the project.

Officials said the project has successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of sluicing to recover lost reservoir water capacity at low cost.

Sluicing is a sediment removal process that involves emptying the reservoir and using the natural flows in the canyon to wash out silt and sand.

City Council members had challenged the project last month, claiming that it was contaminating a local drinking well, and obtained a temporary restraining order until extensive environmental studies could be done.

But the judge who issued the order lifted it Sept. 30, allowing the county to go ahead.

During the next six weeks, Morris Reservoir will be refilled, and the San Gabriel Reservoir water level will be lowered to prepare for the upcoming storm season.