IRVINE : Retarding Basin’s Cleanup Completed

City workers have completed the removal of dirt and debris from a retarding basin near Turtle Rock Community Park in anticipation of winter rains.

The basin collects sediment as it flows down from nearby Bommer Canyon during rainstorms.

It acts as a barrier, preventing sediment from flooding into an Irvine Ranch Water District lake near Turtle Rock Community Park.

Because of recent fires, officials expect more erosion in the canyon than usual and wanted to make sure the half-acre basin is ready to handle a possible onslaught, said Bob Graham, the city’s director of public works.

Workers used a bulldozer and dump truck last week to remove the muddy material from the basin.

October’s Laguna Beach firestorm sent flames perilously close to homes in the hilly Turtle Rock village of Irvine. Residents from the area were forced to evacuate, but no homes were damaged by flames.

With the vegetation gone, the burned hillsides are more susceptible to erosion and mudslides.