During December 2001, trash capture screens were installed at the outlets of five storm drains into the Los Angeles River. The total design and installation cost of the units was $40,000. These five trash capture screens were originally conceived to be part of the Los Angeles River Trash TMDL Baseline Monitoring Plan. As part of the plan, the amount of trash was to be quantified for the purpose of developing trash generation rates at four different landuse areas.

The performance of these screens was assessed by visual inspections to determine if these screens overflow during intense rainstorms. WPD staff made the observations during two rain events, and documented their observations on performance. However, the screens were evaluated based on the ability to function as full capture systems and if there were any other constraints such as safety, vectors (mosquitos), and upstream flooding.

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At Site location 4 (installed on December 31, 2001) observations made on February 26, 2002 show that the screens successfully trapped trash and debris. Additionally, catch basin inserts were installed upstream from this outlet screen and this monitoring site was removed from the pilot study.