Spring Break Hike

During spring break, I hiked through Hahamongna Watershed Park, which is located in the north side of Los Angeles County near Caltech and the Rose Bowl. I saw and identified more than 25 taxa. During my hike, I was surprised by how many plants and animals could live in the park despite its poisoned groundwater. Hahamongna Park is a NASA superfund site and is located adjacent to a NASA-Caltech facility, from which dangerously high quantities of poorly-contained perchlorate and volatile organic compounds seeped into the groundwater. Despite the high concentrations of toxic chemicals in the water, the area flourishes with native Californian plants and animals. In fact, because of the site's superfund status, development projects are prohibited within the park's boundaries. Perhaps this reason is why such biodiversity exists: a lack of suburban and urban development provides a safe haven for plant and animals species that would otherwise be pushed out by human encroachment. For the time being, the park serves as a wash for the nearby Devil's Gate Dam which, although mostly unused and archaic in comparison to the alternative plans to channelize the area, provides a primary function to the human communities downstream.

Posted on April 1, 2013 08:22 PM by ericandersen