Silver Lake, Interrupted. (*Updated)
Downtown, with a puddle to mark where Silver Lake should be.
Interrupted, or DEAD? As of tonight, the north side of Silver Lake, the Ivanhoe Reservoir, is also gone. The remains as seen from my window.
*Updated. I had to get permission from Medical News Today to quote this:
Levels of bromate, a carcinogen, have become so high in the Silver Lake and Elysian reservoirs that authorities are having to drain over 600 millions of gallons of water. Bromate levels have risen due to combination high sunlight exposure, naturally present groundwater bromate, and chlorine.
The six-hundred people who get their water supply from these two reservoirs are getting their water from the Ivanhoe reservoir.
Draining reservoirs is the last thing drought-stricken Los Angeles needs at the moment.
(I bolded important points.)
No more lake view. No more lake.
More snapshots after the jump.
As my smart commenter below noted, bromate apparently only becomes dangerous when it is combined with chlorine. I’m no chemist, but here’s a thought: Why didn’t LADWP try getting rid of, and stop adding, the chlorine, FIRST???
That medical site also had a link to the PR release from LADWP dated December 14 of 2007.
After a thorough review of all available technology, and in consultation with LADWP General Manager David Nahai, the Department feels it is in the best interest of the public to identify only non-potable uses for the water contained in the reservoirs and to dispose of the remainder.
What did I tell you? It’s H. David again! And he’s not just a lawyer, apparently he’s also a technological and environmental scientist, AND a chemist!
I’ve already thought of some other questions I’d like answers to, like why the 600 million gallons was just thrown out, and not used, but LADWP doesn’t have any email. I called, but the operator didn’t have an email to give me, either. I feel a Bake Sale coming on…Let’s get some computers for the DWP!
Below are scenes of Silver Lake Reservoir, drained last week, facing North.
Silver Lake side, and the wall separating the two reservoirs.
Donna Barstow
Griffith Park is the 2nd biggest park in the US, and I'm just the person to investigate it! I've lived here for over 25 years. I was part of the PROS Committee in Griffith Park Neighborhood Council and am on the Housing & Tenants Rights Committee in the Silver Lake NC. I'm in the LA Press Club, and you can find some of my articles in the LA Weekly and the Los Feliz Ledger. I'm a cartoonist for Parade Magazine, The New Yorker, LA Times, Slate, & most major media. Questions and contacts welcome.