Stormwater can be our best friend.

Or… our worst enemy. ULAR Watershed Management Group is at the forefront of making sure stormwater is managed properly and utilized in the best ways possible.

See how we do it

Raincycling!

We work hard to recycle rainwater for use in waterbodies and green spaces. Just one of the many ways to reduce stormwater pollution.

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Measure W for the win!

Learn how we are making the funding from this breakthrough legislation work hard for stormwater management.

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Illustration of three people reviewing science data

What’s an ULARWMG?

Water in Los Angeles is well… complicated. Not many people realize what it takes to manage and control this crucial life resource in the region. It takes planning, testing, innovating, reclaiming, and recycling to push the water system toward the sustainable future we all hope for. And that’s where ULAR WMG comes in. This nerdy bunch of scientists, activists, and policy experts create initiatives and projects that work toward capturing and managing stormwater in the Upper LA River as well as the surrounding watersheds. It’s a huge interconnected effort, and takes the power of the collective group across 19 agencies to accomplish these goals across 480 miles of county space. Plus, with Measure W’s newly added funding (that you the taxpayer passed into law) we can do a great deal more!

Enemy of the Month

Copper

Copper is an important nutrient for healthy organisms and rivers, however, too much can be toxic, making it a ULAR watershed pollutant of concern. One source is automotive brake—or friction—pads where the soft metal improves braking. Every time a driver applies their brakes, invisible particulates are released into the air and fall onto impervious surfaces like streets, parking lots, and roofs, only to wash off when it rains. When studies found that much of the copper in urban runoff was derived from brake pads, cities negotiated with automobile and brake pad manufactures to reduce its content in new automotive brake pads. As older cars are retired, and newer more expensive cars used, the amount of copper released into the environment and washed into our rivers should decrease.

Percent of Copper Allowable Concentrate
toxic fish Toxic
safe fish Safe
Region:

ULAR working the water

We are so excited to let you see all the initiatives we are working on to manage stormwater and reduce pollution. Make sure to dive in and see exactly where your tax dollars are going and how critical they are to making LA’s water management successful.

  • Photo of a ULAR Regional project

    Regional

    Sometimes a project is so robust, that it takes the collective efforts of multiple Agencies and partners to accomplish this multi-benefit stormwater project. For example, Echo Park Lake's revitalization wasn't just a project to make a really pretty park (which it is). Rather, we incorporated aesthetic upgrades to the park with a stormwater diversion design to create a multi-functional stormwater capture, treat and release "Lake" that also provides urban respite and recreational activities to the community.

  • Photo of a ULAR Green Streets project

    Green Streets

    Everyone can agree: the more grass, trees, parks, and native foliage in our city the better. And while we work to make the streets greener, we have more than just aesthetics in mind. All this beautiful new foliage helps us work the stormwater properly and direct it in ways that will clean, recycle, and reclaim it.

  • Photo of a ULAR Low Impact Development project

    Low Impact Development

    Some require your help as well. There are a multitude of small (but mighty) initiatives we have created that involve people altering their homes or businesses in ways that benefit the stormwater system as a whole. Adding rain barrels or planter boxes, tearing up unnecessary concrete, or adding native greenery can all help. (And lessen your Measure W taxes to boot!)