Tujunga Wash facts for kids

The Tujunga Wash is a natural waterway, like a stream, located in Los Angeles County, California. It's a really important part of the Los Angeles River system, providing about one-fifth of the water that flows into the river!

The area that drains water into the Tujunga Wash is called its watershed. This watershed is huge, covering about 225 square miles (580 square kilometers). It stretches all the way from the tall San Gabriel Mountains down to the flat land of the Los Angeles Basin.

Where Does It Start?

The Tujunga Wash actually begins as two separate streams, like two arms reaching out:

• Big Tujunga Creek
• Little Tujunga Creek

Big Tujunga Creek

Big Tujunga Creek starts high up in the San Gabriel Mountains. It flows west until it reaches a large human-made lake called the Big Tujunga Reservoir. This reservoir was created by building a dam on the creek's western side. After the water flows out of this dam, the creek is then known as "Big Tujunga Wash."

Little Tujunga Creek

Little Tujunga Creek also begins in the San Gabriel Mountains, but from a part that's north of another reservoir called the Hansen Reservoir. It flows south, and eventually, its waters join with those from Big Tujunga Creek.

Joining Forces

Once Big Tujunga Creek and Little Tujunga Creek combine, their waters flow into the Hansen Reservoir. From there, the Tujunga Wash continues to flow south. On its way to the Los Angeles River, another stream called the Pacoima Wash joins it. Finally, the Tujunga Wash meets the Los Angeles River near Studio City, California.

Images for kids

• 

  Flooding damage along the wash in 1938

• 

  Tujunga Wash, south from Victory Boulevard

See also

In Spanish: Arroyo Tujunga para niños