Harbor Regional Park

and Camp Machado

This park has undergone a massive cleanup and rebuilding to restore the Machado Lake Habitat. This lake and Marsh has been inhabited for 10,000 years by Tongva indigenous peoples and others. It attracts 1000s of birds and has many special features. It even has a campground that has not been used in years but has outstanding potential.

Lake Machado cleanup effort

Funding comes from the 2004 passage of Proposition O, a statewide measure to clean urban runoff and improve water quality.The $117 million cleanup effort of Machado Lake and the Wilmington Drain included a series of steps, from installing trash nets and circulatory equipment to dredging the bottom of the lake.

“There were four goals: water quality improvements, recreational enhancements, wildlife habitat improvements and flood control,” according to Michelle Vargas, public information officer for the city of Los Angeles.

Benches and other park amenities also were added to the 231-acre Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park that surrounds the body of water. Expanded recreational uses were also added.

Nets and other filters were installed to keep the lake and drain connections cleaner. The water level also will be maintained at 8 feet to ensure more oxygen to support the fish and other wildlife.

DDT and other Pollutants such as metals from the area industry were removed from the lake in the process.

The Tongva People of Pre Los Angeles lived here for around 10,000 years. The area was rich in water, fish, marsh wildlife and large animals seeking water. They were eventually pushed out of the area by the Spanish land grants and private property enforcement.