The Rio Hondo is a tributary of the Los Angeles River in Los Angeles County, California, approximately 20 miles long. As a named river it begins in Irwindale and flows southwest to its confluence in South Gate, passing through several cities (though not the City of Los Angeles).

Spreading grounds beside the Rio Hondo in Pico Rivera, California

The Rio Hondo has sometimes been described as a second channel of the San Gabriel River. For much of its length, the rivers flow parallel to each other about two miles apart. Both rivers pass through the Whittier Narrows , a natural gap in the hills which form the southern boundary of the San Gabriel Valley. Here, both rivers are impounded by the Whittier Narrows Dam, which the Army Corps of Engineers describes as, "the central element of the Los Angeles County Drainage Area (LACDA) flood control system". During major storms, the Whittier Narrows Dam can direct water to either channel, as well as store runoff.

Most of the Rio Hondo is a concrete-lined channel to serve its primary flood control function, but in two places the river flows over open ground: the Peck Road Water Conservation Park, and the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. Large spreading grounds for water conservation surround much of the river, and its bike paths are very popular.

External links

• Army Corps of Engineers - Whittier Narrows Dam
• LA Bike Paths - Rio Hondo