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As Los Angeles and the surrounding areas experience more frequent episodes of extreme weather and increasingly intense floods, flood mitigation and restoration measures are becoming more important. In contrast to flood protection efforts, like dams and levees, flood restoration focuses on rebuilding degraded ecosystems, protecting human health and livelihoods, and preserving natural resources. As the most populous county in California, Los Angeles is particularly vulnerable to floods, and is now considering flood restoration strategies to reduce the impacts of recurring events.

One of the most beneficial aspects of flood restoration involves the ecological value provided by new or restored ecosystems. When a flood causes extensive destruction to a wetlands area, for example, existing wildlife and plants are lost or displaced. With careful restoration, the wetlands area is returned as closely as possible to the original state, providing habitat for a variety of species. Additionally, wetland ecosystems provide multiple environmental services like protecting aquifers by filtering pollutants, storing nutrients, and providing critical habitats for numerous species of wildlife and fish.

In addition to benefiting wildlife, flood restoration projects can also help protect human health and livelihoods. Artificial levees, dams, and other flood protection measures are often associated with environmental degradation, including the destruction of fish and other organisms and the contamination of water sources. By replacing these strategies with more natural and ecologically sound approaches like restored floodplains, we can reduce the negative impacts on human health while benefiting wildlife.

Finally, flood restoration can strictly benefit resource management efforts. Wetland areas are often considered “natural sponges” because they can store large volumes of water during floods. This helps reduce flooding downstream and also provides water for agricultural or other uses. Additionally, restoring damaged wetlands can improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, recharge aquifers, and even reduce shoreline erosion.

There are many benefits of flood restoration in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. Restoring degraded ecosystems protects human health and livelihoods, preserves natural resources, and provides habitat for wildlife. The long-term rewards of investing in flood restoration far outweigh the costs, making it an important part of any proactive flood management plan.