When the 1914 flood caused $ 10 million in damages to the developing basin areas , a public outcry began for action to address the recurring flooding problems . During the following year , the Los Angeles County Flood Control District was formed . Some of the early flood control efforts included smaller areas of channelization and the planning for needed reservoirs . Taxpayers approved bond issues in 1917 and 1924 to build the first major dams . However , they were not willing to provide enough funding for the much needed and substantial infrastructure downstream of these dams . After two more destructive floods in the 1930s , most notably the 1938 flood , federal assistance was requested . The Army Corps of Engineers took a lead role in channelizing the river and constructing several dams which would create flood control basins behind them . Channelization began in 1938 , and by 1960 , the project was completed to form the present fifty-one mile engineered waterway . Included in this work were Hansen Dam , completed in 1940 and followed by Sepulveda Dam in 1941 . In 1973 , Burbank Blvd was built through the Sepulveda Basin , Woodley Ave was also built in the recreation area in 1975
1938 flood
Los Angeles flood of 1938
Sepulveda Dam