Down By The Crik

The Water is High Down by the Crik. Ballona Creek at Thurman Avenue, Los Angeles

With all the rains we've been having during the last few days, I noticed that the water is very high in La Ballona Creek. I drive over the Creek at Thurman Avenue on my way to the 10 Freeway everyday when I go to work.  This is just east of Fairfax Avenue. The Ballona Creek starts at Cochran Avenue and empties out in the Pacific Ocean at Pacific Avenue in Venice. A bike path runs alongside the creek.  I wouldn't venture onto that path though until the El  Niño  rains subside.

This is what the Creek looked like during our recent drought:

Ballona Creek during the Drought at La Cienega Blvd.

There was lots of rain In Los Angeles during February of 1958. It appears that our drainage system has improved since then!

1958. Ballona Creek at Overland Avenue, Culver City.  Herald Examiner Collection

Undated Photo. the Red Car crossing the Ballona Creek Bridge near National Blvd., WLA. Photo from Pacific Railroad Museum

I can just imagine growing up in Los Angeles and being able to go down to the banks of the Ballona Creek and chasing frogs, sailing a toy boat or even taking a dip!  It must have been so rural in what we now call the center of our City!

1952. Ballona Creek near Sawtelle Ave., Culver City. Herald Examiner Collection

See how the Creek is unfenced?  Residents termed this bridge near Sawtelle Avenue in Culver City a "death trap" by parents whose children must pass this bridge twice a day on their way to and from school.

Time to get your waders out!