Mayor Eric Garcetti is joined by Department of Water and Power workers releasing the final 20,000 shade balls into the Los Angeles Reservoir in Sylmar.
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Shade balls in the L.A. Reservoir

Mayor Eric Garcetti is joined by Department of Water and Power workers releasing the final 20,000 shade balls into the Los Angeles Reservoir in Sylmar.

Mayor Eric Garcetti is joined by Department of Water and Power workers releasing the final 20,000 shade balls into the Los Angeles Reservoir in Sylmar.

 (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)

The 175-acre surface is covered by 96 million sunlight-blocking balls at a cost of $34.5 million.

The 175-acre surface is covered by 96 million sunlight-blocking balls at a cost of $34.5 million.

 (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)

Photgrapher Gene Blevins shoots the expanse of floating balls.

Photgrapher Gene Blevins shoots the expanse of floating balls. (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)

An additional 20,000 small balls were rolled into the lake.

An additional 20,000 small balls were rolled into the lake.

 (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)

Now there are some 96 million balls.

Now there are some 96 million balls. (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)

Each ball comes fully assembled and costs 36 cents.

Each ball comes fully assembled and costs 36 cents. (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tosses one in.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tosses one in. (Jay L. Clenenin / Los Angeles Times)

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