Sediment removal at the reservoir now takes place Monday through Saturday. West Fork Road is closed to all vehicles. Pedestrian and cyclist use is ok on Saturdays, Sunday and holidays. Please watch for any work-related traffic.

Due to potential safety hazards because of the Bobcat Fire, the U.S. Forest Service has prohibited public use or access of the West Fork Access Road. Forest Order No. 05-01-20-11 can be found here.

While the Cogswell Reservoir Post-Fire Emergency Restoration Project is an emergency project, Public Works will ensure the project complies, and in some instances exceeds, regulatory requirements typically enforced on non-emergency projects. Public Works is partnering with the agencies below to ensure measures are taken to protect the public, recreational resources, wildlife, habitat, and water quality to the extent possible.

• United States Forest Service (USFS) – Coordination for continued use of Cogswell Sediment Placement Site (SPS) and revegetation of the SPS at the end of the Project per a plan approved by USFS.
• United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – Coordination for impacts to Waters of the United States. A Section 404 permit will be issued by USACE.
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) – Coordination with CDFW to implement measures that protect wildlife and habitat. Restoration of the SPS will be implemented per a plan reviewed by CDFW.
• Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) – Coordination with RWQCB to implement measures to protect water quality and aquatic resources. Restoration of the SPS will be implemented per a plan reviewed by RWQCB. A Section 401 certification has been issued by RWQCB.

On October 13, 2020, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a motion instructing Los Angeles County Public Works to take immediate action to repair and restore facilities affected by the Bobcat Fire. This includes the removal of sediment from major dams and reservoirs such as Cogswell Reservoir. In accordance with the Board of Supervisors’ motion, Public Works has proposed a three-year project to remove 2.0 MCY of sediment from Cogswell Reservoir.

In addition to the emergency declaration by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Bobcat Fire was also declared an emergency by the federal government and the State of California. These emergency declarations can be found in the Resources section.