The dam was completed in 1931 by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power , at a cost of $ 1.2 million ( $ in dollars ) . It was originally planned as one of several flood control dams inside Big Tujunga Canyon and was thus referred to as '' ' Big Tujunga Dam No. 1 ' '' until the larger Hansen Dam was completed in 1940 at the mouth of the canyon , eliminating the need for the other dams . During the Los Angeles flood of 1938 , the dam was able to stop a huge debris flow of boulders and uprooted trees , sparing much of Sunland , Tujunga and Glendale from destruction
Los Angeles flood of 1938
Los Angeles flood of 1938
Big Tujunga Dam