SUMMER 2021
N E W S
RESERVOIR NEWS
Two-Way Walking Returns
Life around the reservoir is returning to normal. For the past year, most pedestrians have faithfully observed the counterclockwise-only COVID-safety rule of last year. But since we entered the “yellow tier” designation in May and a large percentage of people became vaccinated, CD13 field deputy Mary Rodriguez tells us that those rules have now been lifted. “The counterclockwise restrictions are not in place anymore, and it is up to individuals whether or not to wear masks outdoors.”
Most walkers still observe the one-way rule, however, possibly out of a continuing sense of increased safety. The meadow and dog park are also unrestricted, but the Silver Lake Recreation Center remains closed. Facility Director Gordon Dupree says he’s hopeful it will reopen for sports and classes sometime this fall.
“Tiger Stripes” Re-painted
Everyone’s least favorite design element in the Silver Lake Reservoir got a face lift in April. The so-called “tiger stripes” that line the banks – and emphasize its unnatural and industrial aspect – are actually repairs to cracks in the asphalt slopes.
But before we complain too much, it’s important to remember that the South Dam is really a functioning dam. “The asphalt repairs were necessary for regulatory compliance with the State Division of Safety of Dams,” said LADWP Metro Property Manager Helen Olivares. “The DSOD assesses all of our dams, and the crack sealing was one of the deficiencies they required us to complete.”
So, we may not love them, but for now at least, they’re keeping millions of gallons of water where they belong, in the reservoir.
Reservoir Water Levels Returning to Normal
You can thank the recent reservoir Aeration and Recirculation project for an imminent increase in our reservoir water levels. LADWP crews began work on the aeration system in March (it will increase oxygen levels at the bottom of the reservoir and help facilitate the mixing of the reservoir water). LADWP officials report that because of the aeration/recirculation construction sequence, it makes sense to return water levels to their historic height this summer. So those of you who have noticed that the reservoirs have seemed pretty empty these days, you were right. But they’ll be coming back soon!
– Cyndi Hubach
SLNC Elections
Neighborhood Council Sees Big Change in Board Membership
After a hotly contested election in 2018 that brought sweeping changes to the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, the SLNC has again seen broad turnover in its membership, with 15 of the 21 incumbent members opting not to run again.
Board members cited the stresses of COVID as one factor in their decision to leave. “Trying to navigate all the unknowns, learn new ways to do everything and show up for the community was a tall order,” said one-term member Ianthe Zevos. “I’m proud of what our board and the NC community managed to do, but am not surprised that a lot of us were ready to pass the baton.”
Returning board member Dulce Stein agreed that COVID made the job more difficult. The Zoom meetings were no match for personal engagement, especially for the art committee which she co-chairs. “The art committee is social, you have to see people and art. When we were in lockdown, the one-on-one connection was lost.”
Still, the new board is seen as younger and more inclusive than ever, a trend that Stein says she hopes will continue. “We need to invite more people in. It’s kind of like, the SLNC is a hidden treasure. It’s there. You just have to find it.”
You can go to the SLNC website for a complete list of election results.
– Cyndi Hubach
Silver Lake Master Plan UPDATE
“MASTERING THE PLAN”: A LOOK INSIDE THE PROCESS
The Second of a Two-Part Series
After months of COVID-induced delays, the Silver Lake Reservoirs Master Plan is nearing final approval by the Board of Public Works -- the first major hurdle ahead of full consideration by the LA City Council. The Bureau of Engineering is also finalizing paperwork to begin work on the crucial Environmental Impact Report, which will be overseen by lead consultants Hargreaves Jones.
Residents can now get the clearest view yet of the proposed plan. Hargreaves just released a new electronic pamphlet with a detailed overview of the plan and the planning process. It can be downloaded from the project website’s main page.
In our March issue, SLRC interviewed Principal Meghen Quinn to learn more about the Master Plan process from her perspective. She was both delighted and amazed by the level of passionate community involvement she observed.
Here she discusses how Silver Lake’s Master Plan stood out from other projects she’s been involved in, and what she learned from the experience.
SLRC: How has this project differed from others you’ve done?
Meghen: The biggest difference on this project, which I find fascinating, is working on this highly constructed, man-made water body in which all inputs and flows are engineered and controlled, as opposed to rivers, coastal fronts, or lakes fed by natural processes. Once the Silver Lake Reservoirs recirculation and aeration projects are implemented and then when the wetlands are constructed, they will all function similarly to a “natural” system but will be utterly unique in their engineered circumstance. When habitat and other species are disappearing at alarming rates, finding ways to reintroduce urban wilderness becomes ever more crucial, and Silver Lake Reservoir Complex will become an important marker point to this collective endeavor.
SLRC: What do you consider the greatest success of the process?
Meghen: From the very first Community Workshop in June 2019, we heard that balancing uses between folks who wanted a lot of water-based recreational activities like swimming and boating with those who only wanted habitat improvements or nothing at all changed was going to be our biggest challenge. I think the proposed Master Plan design strikes that balance. And I think our community engagement process and goal for transparency (which was started by the BOE and LADWP well before our team was selected) was successful as well. We spent over a year meeting with the larger community as well as the Stakeholder Working Group at key milestones in the Master Plan development to gather input. I truly believe the proposed Master Plan reflects the combined aspirations of the community.
SLRC: Are there any “Lessons Learned” that you’ll use for future projects or for seeing this one to completion?
Meghen: Given the high level of involvement and feedback from the Community as well as the Stakeholder Working Group when it came to our questionnaires, I have learned the importance of decoupling potentially contentious elements from those that seem to have strong consensus to receive more specific feedback when needed. And focusing on what brings us together to create a project we can all be proud of and enjoy for years to come may just be a lesson for all of us.
– Leslie Edmonds
Native Garden Volunteer Days to Restart June 20!
One unexpected upside -- if one can call it that -- of the global pandemic, was the increased interest of millions of homebound humans in gardening and nature.
For those of us who find gardening a social activity, however, the restrictions were a challenge. Our monthly native garden volunteer days have been on hold since last April, when the pandemic put the kibosh on a major city-sponsored meadow park beautification day.
In the meantime, our inbox has been filling up weekly with requests to help grow and maintain our native gardens. And we’re happy to announce that we are back! Sunday, June 20th at 9 a.m., we’ll be hosting a return to the garden. Meet us at the north end of the meadow with your gloves, hat, and refillable water bottle, and we’ll supply the rest. We hope to see you there!
THE WILD LIFE
Creating a Bird-Friendly Backyard
A recent post on Nextdoor featured the recording of an impossibly loud mockingbird belting out his song at two in the morning. The poster was not pleased and responses were varied: some people loved and cheered him on; others cursed him and the springtime he flew in on. One neighbor confessed he’d been so enraged by a rowdy bird that he’d cut down the tree it sang from.
If, unlike that man, you are a fan of even insomniac songbirds, you’ll want to create a safe and welcoming home for them. This house near the reservoir is bird heaven, with trees and shrubs that are ideal for shelter, nesting, and foraging. Here are some tips to create a bird heaven of your own:
This last point is most important. Some people object to using precious water for trees and shrubs, but it may be one of our wisest uses of water. Carefully applied, established trees don’t need huge amounts of water – just a 20-minute soak every couple of weeks should do it. Trees cool and green our city. They are home to our wildlife and a balm for our souls. We can spare a few drops to keep them (and us) happy and healthy.
Resources:
– Cyndi Hubach
BLOOMING NOW
Matilija Poppy
(Romneya coulteri)
Speaking of bird-friendly plants, many of our native birds love the showy “fried egg” Matilija poppy. These giant blooms are the largest flowers of any California native. They grow in sunny, dry canyons, in chaparral and coastal sage scrub plant communities from Santa Barbara down into Baja and are endemic to our area (growing naturally only here). This plant is especially abundant in Matilija Canyon, near Ventura, and named for Chumash Chief Matilija.
I found these house sparrows happily perching and foraging in its foliage. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for butterflies and bees, which were also abundant. This is a host species for the Neoterpes edwardsata moth.
This plant will grow happily in your garden if you have a sunny spot with lots of room for it to grow and no summer irrigation. After its late spring bloom extravaganza, this plant expects our hot, dry summers and dies to the ground. In gardens, it needs a late summer chop, to just 6” above the soil, and then wants to be left alone. Winter rains (or irrigation as our drought continues) will bring it back to life, and new stems will shoot with new flowers again next year. If it is happy in your garden, it will spread roots wherever it can, so contain it with a root barrier if you want to control it, or just pull up unwanted new shoots.
– Stephanie Bartron, FAPLD
This is Silver Lake resident and tree champion Jane Cook, fighting to save a pathway tree in the middle of the night last March. We'll come back to her, but this is the story of how we got there...
Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell’s office sponsored the planting of the trees back in early 2018 to coincide with the opening of the South Dam.
The trees themselves – a mix of Goldenrain and African sumac – were mere tall spindly sticks. Poorly trained nursery workers had removed crucial limbs from all but the top crowns of many of the trees.
But something strange was happening. More lower limbs were disappearing. Branches were shorn off with seeming disregard for the shape or health of the tree. LACC denied doing any pruning at all. That same month, the mystery of the Mad Hacker was solved.
Finally, the spindly trunks, straining under their growing crowns, began to tilt. In March, one of the sumacs, burdened (ironically) with a broken support stake was in danger of snapping in two.
Local tree lovers Jane Cook and Hugh Kenny saved it in a late-night rescue mission.
That same month, the mystery of the Mad Hacker was solved. Jane Cook says she caught the elderly, balding man sawing away in the dead of night. “He thought he was helping, but I argued my points very forcefully,” she says. “Finally, he seemed to cease, and I fervently hope that is the last of him.”
We found a hummingbird nest in one of the trees the other day, and local arborist Lora Hall has a re-staking plan in the works. So, while the trees may never seem quite right, they may still persevere.
Life, if given half a chance, finds a way.
RESERVOIR DOGS
BRITT & ROKY
Roky is a 4 ½ year old husky-pit bull mix who was lucky to find Britt, a runner and hiker with the energy to keep up with him!
How did he get his name?
This is Roky, and it’s spelled R-O-K-Y. A little funky. He’s actually named after Roky Erickson, who’s this psychedelic rock musician from the 60s and 70s. That was the inspiration!
Is he a psychedelic dog?
He sure is. He’s a wild child.
Where did he come from?
I adopted him about 2 ½ years ago from a rescue out in San Dimas. His previous family had kids and other dogs and they just didn’t have the energy for him. I had no experience with dogs, and I was like what have I gotten myself into!? I’ve been working on training him, and he’s really come along in the last two years. He’s in a really good place.
What do you like about coming to the reservoir?
He requires quite a bit of exercise so we’re always out and about and we love the reservoir. I think it’s beautiful, I love the energy. I spent so much time at the dog park when everything was shut down and the dog park was one of the only places that was open, so I’d go with my friends that had dogs and it was really just a sense of community, and it’s so close to home. We do this like every day, we just love it.
RESERVOIR PEOPLE
JOHN KOKUM AND HIS DOG DUMPLING!
What do you come to the reservoir for?
To relax, clear my head, exercise both myself and Dumpling. I work in production, so getting away from the computer is vital. The views, the people watching...
What’s your favorite part of the reservoir?
We both love the dog park. And the walk around the reservoir is so social. I sometimes meet up with friends and do the walk around. We both get some social interaction – Dumpling gets lots of attention.
How do you feel about dogs and spaces at the reservoir?
I think it’s great that the meadow is not for dogs. As a dog owner, I take Dumpling everywhere. We are close. But I think we have lots of places to go without needing all the space. It’s nice to see people walk barefoot and picnic. I think dogs in the meadow would be a little challenging for all of that. Plus Dumpling loves to play at the dog park.
What would you want to change about the reservoir?
I would like to see more places to walk amongst the trees. The path outside the meadow is my favorite part. Great views as you move through it, shade, and the plants themselves. You learn a lot about what grows easily and seeing the changes through the seasons. What flowers, what changes color, all that. Keep the water fountains.
How do you think the reservoir reflects Los Angeles?
The people watching. It’s so social. I am always meeting other dog owners here. And having a cute dog helps. It reminds me of how lucky we are. When I’m walking on the big walkway above the rec center, and I look at the mountains across the water, it’s beautiful.
HISTORY MATTERS
THE SILVER LAKE RESERVOIR HONORS A LOS ANGELES PIONEER
Have you ever wondered how Silver Lake got its name? You may have thought that perhaps it describes the way the light shimmers on the water’s surface when it's hit by the light of the sun. Wrong! Actually, the reservoir complex got its name over a hundred years ago in honor of Herman Silver, the head of the city’s water commission.
In this time when the public is demanding name changes for landmarks named after some controversial historical figures, it’s interesting to look at the distinguished life of Mr. Silver.
So, who was this guy?
Herman Silver was born in Prussia in 1831 and came to America in 1848 when he was 17. Fluent in Hebrew, the story goes that on the ship he traded Hebrew lessons with a priest who taught him English. After traveling around the eastern states, he settled in Illinois where he met Abraham Lincoln and became involved in helping runaway slaves. He also raised money to support 20 companies of Illinois Union Army soldiers in the Civil War.
For health reasons he moved to Colorado where his talents led him to be named superintendent of the Denver mint. His weak lungs were still an issue, so he moved to California where his health improved and his fortunes soared. He became president of the LA City Council from 1896 to 1900 and unsuccessfully ran for mayor. A devout Jew, he also became a lay rabbi at the congregation that was to become the Wilshire Temple.
Nearing the end of the 19th century, Los Angeles was experiencing a population boom. More people meant a greater need for water, so in 1899 the city created a water commission with Silver as its head. He started planning a reservoir complex northeast of downtown that would encompass two concrete lined reservoirs.
Silver’s dream was to combine a stored water facility with the development of homes and parklands for recreation, the same dream that lives on today.
When he got into a dispute with the then mayor, the mayor fired him from his position on the water commission. The city council retaliated by voting to name the new water project Silver Lake in Silver’s honor.
Herman Silver died of a heart attack in 1913. He was 82. His dreams live on in the landmark Silver Lake Reservoir complex that bears his name.
– Marilyn Tower Oliver
C A L E N D A R
C R E D I T S
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Cyndi Hubach
Newsletter Cover Photo
by Amanda Schumaker, IG handle: @amanda_schumacher_, website: amandaschumachermedia.com
TILTING TREES STORY PHOTOS
Cyndi Hubach, Howard Petersen and Hugh Kenny
NEWSLETTER LAYOUT
By Allie X Brooker // e: alliex@icloud.com // webpages: Spark // Camp Glen Green, Allie Bakes
email us: info@silverlakereservoirs.org
Please subscribe to our mailing list
Submit your email to receive periodic updates on news, events, volunteer opportunities, and more around the Silver Lake Reservoirs.