Zanja Madre
Historic aqueduct in Los Angeles, California
About
The Zanja Madre is the original aqueduct that brought water to the Pueblo de Los Angeles from the Río Porciúncula (Los Angeles River). The original open, earthen ditch, or zanja was completed by community laborers within a month of founding the pueblo. This water system was used for both domestic uses and irrigation to fields west of town. The main zanja ultimately fed eight branch zanjas. This availability of water was essential to the survival and growth of the community founded here. Brick conduits 3 to 3.5 feet (0.91 to 1.07 m) in diameter were built to improve the system after 1884. Eventually the system did not supply enough water to keep pace with population growth and irrigation demand. The system was abandoned by 1904 though portions were still used for storm water purposes. It was maintained by the Zanjero of Los Angeles.
Nearby
More to see within walking distance
Los Angeles Chinese massacre of 1871
Riotous lynching
0.9 mi away
Dodger Stadium
Baseball park in Los Angeles, California
0.5 mi away
California's 34th congressional district
U.S. House district for California
0.5 mi away
Arroyo Seco (Los Angeles County)
Seasonal watercourse and human settlement in US
0.8 mi away
Chinese American Museum
Museum in Los Angeles, California, United States
0.9 mi away
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Cathedral and Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
1.0 mi awayPlaces to eat nearby
Finding places to eat…
Traveler reviews
Tickets & tours
Tickets and tours for Zanja Madre
We may earn a commission from some of these links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Photos from Unsplash, Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA); facts from Wikipedia; maps © OpenStreetMap contributors, weather from Open-Meteo. Huginn’s tips are AI-written — check prices, hours and entry rules before you go.