Officials Mark 100th Anniversary Of LA County Flood Control District

AZUSA (CBSLA.com) — With a whoosh and a cloud of mist, millions of gallons of water were released into the San Gabriel River Friday.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and dozens of state and local officials were on hand to kick off the centennial of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District at Morris Dam, an iconic, Art Deco-style water supply facility that officials say signifies the county's role in providing a sustainable local water supply for the region.

Protecting valuable water is what the Morris Dam was built to do.

Dedicated in 1934 by Herbert Hoover, today the old dam roared to life again as 6.5 million gallons of captured stormwater was released to help bring usable water to surrounding residents.

CBS2/KCAL9's Kaj Goldberg reports the move is all the more important because of a historic drought.

Officials say the 2,500 gallons per minute that was released will flow down the San Gabriel River and replenish catch basins, providing people with enough water to live on for the next year.

The event is said to be he first in a series of outreach initiatives designed to commemorate significant agency milestones while articulating the County's vision for ensuring a sustainable local water supply into the next century, according to officials.