Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

In Spring 1992, there were record rains, forcing the opening of the lower gates of the Pacoima Dam.

Someone said at the time that, at first, water didn't flow from the gates, which had been covered with silt. Instead, the ooze sqoze out like brown toothpaste, then water gushed through.

The river bed had previously been a nice, flat beach of sand, an excellent, huge LZ. In the photos, you can see the flag that served as a windsock.

You can see the photos here

http://community.webshots.com/album/558694074okuCLC

The gully that the water cut across the wash was about 50 feet wide and 15 feet deep. Look at the depth of the cut compared with the people standing next to it.

With the permission of the landowner, we were able to get a permit to repair the damage with a bulldozer, then clean out all the big boulders from the surface to smooth it out.

Those days are gone, the present policy of the Army Corps of Engineers is that the river bed should generally find its own course.

The flow in the wash was so high that Dave and Pat Barton conquered the wild Pacoima by kayak. Scotty Carlson aided and abetted.

Barbara and I were doing the newsletter then. At least we had plenty to write about. The outcome from that flood was all pretty good, all things considered. And repaired in very short order. Thanks for the memory.