General Plan Update - City of Inglewood

6.3 Flood Hazards
enforcement as there is a less then one percent chance of a flood occurring within the
City in any given year. 96
As previously stated, the City is situated mostly in the upper reaches of two local
watersheds and is not located in any identified 50-year, 100-year or 500-year flood plain.
Therefore, the risks associated with flooding in the City tend to be localized and would
most likely occur when the amount of water generated from rainfall and runoff exceeds
the capacity of the storm drain system. In order to reduce the likelihood of localized
flooding, the Storm Drain Maintenance Staff regularly clears the catch basins and drains
of foliage, garbage, and other obstructions to allow the free flow of runoff to prepare for
and prevent flooding. 97
Two specific intersections have been identified as being subject to flooding during
heavier than average rain event. The intersection of West Century Boulevard and South
Inglewood Avenue and the intersection of West Beach Avenue and Evergreen Street
flood on a regular basis. The City is presently analyzing this issue and it will be addressed
in the Storm Drain Master Study Plan 98 .
Dams and Reservoir Inundation
Dam and reservoir failures can result from a number of causes, both manmade and
natural. An earthquake, erosion of the foundation, improper siting, structural or design
flaws and rising floodwaters, individually or in a combination, can result in the release of
large amounts of water.
The City has two reservoirs that act as storage for the booster pump stations: the North
Inglewood and Morningside Reservoirs. Each reservoir is about 18 feet to 20 feet deep,
but the reservoir levels are maintained below 3.5 feet to ensure circulation and maintain
adequate disinfectant residuals in the system. The North Inglewood Reservoir was
constructed in 1974, and is a covered underground reservoir totaling approximately 144
feet wide and 221 feet long. While its total capacity is approximately 4.6 million gallons,
the reservoir level is currently operated between 1.0 and 3.5 feet. The Morningside
Reservoir was constructed in 1954, and has a total capacity of 16 million gallons. The
reservoir level is currently operated between 0.5 and 2.5 feet. As both reservoirs are
below-ground storage facilities, there is no risk of flooding or inundation due to reservoir
failure. 99
96 http://www.cityofinglewood.org/faqs/categoryqna.asp?id=13 Accessed March 16, 2006.
97 http://www.cityofinglewood.org/depts/pw/divisions/water_works/storm_water/storm_h2o.asp.
Accessed March 16, 2006.
98 Conversation with Eugene Parker, Inglewood Department of Public Works, March 20, 2006
99 Conversation with Eugene Parker, Inglewood Department of Public Works, March 20, 2006
City of Inglewood General Plan Update Technical Background Report
6.3-3