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Protect The Best
Reconnect Habitat
Integrate Fish & Working Lands
Steward Source Water Areas
Restore Estuaries
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Matilija Dam Removal
Home | Key Initiatives | Reconnect Habitat | Matilija Dam Removal
Project Goal:
Support the Matilija Coalition, Ventura County Watershed Protection District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in securing funding to finalize a dam removal design and associated re-evaluation of downstream mitigations.
Learn More
Project Stages
35% Planning and Design
65% Planning and Design
100% Planning, Design, and Permitting
Implementation
Completion
Estimated Completion Date:
2024 - 2031
Region:
Project Funders
CDFW Prop 1
Patagonia
Resource Legacy Fund
Fish Affected:
Threats:
Project Description
Matilija Dam on the Ventura River is obsolete and was condemned more than 50 years ago. Yet it remains, completely disconnecting the upper watershed and blocking critically endangered Southern California steelhead from reaching miles of headwater habitat. CalTrout is part of the Matilija Coalition and has had amazing recent success in securing funding for dam removal planning and studies and lower watershed infrastructure upgrades, including the $13 million grant award from CDFW to replace the Santa Ana Bridge. This project and the eventual removal of Matilija Dam will allow the Ventura River’s human and ecological communities to become more water and climate resilient in a future that holds increased uncertainty from the impact of droughts, floods and wildfires.
Project Partners:
National Marine Fisheries Service
Ventura River Watershed Council Patagonia
US Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Surfrider Foundation and Matilija Coalition
Coastal Conservancy
Ventura County Watershed Protection District
NOAA Restoration Center
Stoecker Ecological
State Coastal Conservancy
Resources Legacy Fund
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Increase outreach overall to youth, members, fly clubs, and others about our efforts in the Bay Area and statewide.
Learn MoreFeatured News
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Human use of streams, lakes, and surrounding watersheds for recreation has greatly increased with population expansion. Boating, swimming, angling, off-road vehicles, ski resorts, golf courses and other activities or land uses can negatively impact salmonid populations and their habitats. The impacts are generally minor; however, concentration of multiple activities in one region or time of year may have cumulative impacts.
Dams block access to historical spawning and rearing habitats. Downstream, dams alter the timing, frequency, duration, magnitude, and rate of change of flows decreasing habitat quality and survival.
