­The San Gabriel River Discovery Center will be a regional nature museum with educational facilities and exhibits for joint educational programs between local school districts and the County Department of Parks and Recreation. The project is implemented by the Watershed Conservation Authority acting as a joint powers authority for County, State, and local water districts. The educational program aims to educate children about water resources and natural habitat. The 11-acre landscape surrounding the new San Gabriel River Discovery Center serves as an interpretive extension of the building and features a sustainable watershed theme.

The design strictly adheres to an EIR requiring a minimal disturbance footprint. The project includes a habitat wetland and bioswale fed by a combination of captured stormwater and supplemental reclaimed water from a nearby treatment plant. All rainfall for the entire site is captured and treated in the wetland before being used to supply irrigation water for the landscape. All stormwater in excess of the ten-year flood will be infiltrated after passing through the wetland. The green parking lot was specifically designed to maximize capture of rainfall to serve as the contributing watershed. The restoration design calls for local native plant species known to have historic presence in the Whittier Narrows. Creating true wetland habitat that can be experienced and studied by students was a priority of the project. The rainwater harvesting and reuse scheme exceeds all known green building standards. Water reuse adheres to strict health department standards for above surface use of water.

Client: Watershed Conservation Authority
Location: Whittier, CA
Size: 11-Acres
Construction TBD

Illustrative drawing of the proposed San Gabriel River Discovery Center.