Prioritized Restoration Projects
Rose Valley Creek Stream Restoration Project
Partner: CalTrout
Goal
To develop an alternative analysis for the restoration of Southern California steelhead in the Rose Valley Lakes System and Sespe Creek Watershed.
Objective
Secure final plans for implementation to remove man made lakes, invasive species, and restore connectivity of water ways. And create recreation for the public in the area and cultural education kiosks.
Build and execute the implementation funding package.
Implement the Rose Valley Creek Stream Restoration Project.
Santa Clara River Estuary Restoration
Partner: City of Ventura, CalTrout, and others
Goal
Work with CDFW, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), NMFS, California State Parks, Coastal Commission, City of Ventura, City of Oxnard, Ventura County to restore ecosystem processes and function of the Santa Clara River estuary.
Objective
Secure final designs for estuary restoration and modernization of recreation/education facilities.
Build and execute the implementation funding package.
Establish Coalition working group to advance designs and engage community.
Harvey Diversion Fish Passage Remediation Project
Partner: CalTrout
Goal
Restore fish passage and natural processes on Santa Paula Creek at the Harvey Diversion passage barrier by implementing the 2009 agency selected preferred alternative – partial diversion removal, historic slope profile reconstruction and diversion modernization.
Objective
Secure final designs for estuary restoration and modernization of recreation/education facilities. Build and execute the implementation funding package. Establish Coalition working group to advance designs and engage community.
Establish memorandum of understanding with Ventura County Public Works Department - Watershed Protection District to formalize long term management and maintenance roles and responsibilities.
Build and execute the implementation funding package.
Implement the Harvey Diversion Fish Passage Remediation Project.
Vern Freeman Fish Passage Remediation Project
Partner: Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation
Goal
Work with state and federal agencies to ensure the timely implementation of the 2019 federally mandated fish passage remediation solution selected to provide efficient and effective migratory movement in the Santa Clara River at the Vern Freeman Diversion.
Objective
Secure final designs for complete passage remediation restoration and modernization of Vern Freeman facility.
Establish Coalition working group to advance designs and engage community on purpose and need for this project.
Santa Clara River Watershed Monitoring Program
Partner: Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation
Goal
Monitor Ventura County’s waterbodies water quality and conduct O. mykiss surveys throughout the Sespe and Santa Paula sub-watersheds. Use the results of this monitoring efforts to protect the water quality and ecological integrity of Ventura. County’s coastal and inland waterbodies as these are the lifeblood of Chumash Native American culture.
Objective
Continue this time series data set at over 50 locations to determine compliance with state and federal water quality standards.
Sisar Creek Fish Passage Remediation Project
Friends of the Santa Clara River
Goal
Restore fish passage and natural processes on Sisar Creek by replacing Arizona crossings with full span bridges.
Secure final designs and all necessary natural resources permitting and planning documents required to support implementation.
Objective
Implement fish passage restoration project at this site.
Leverage this project as example of successful public/private partnership model and engage other private landowners in this watershed on the goal, purpose and positive outcomes to be obtained from passage remediation.
Sespe Cienega Restoration and Public Access Project
Partner: The Santa Clara River Conservancy
Goal
Restore 234 acres of degraded river channel and floodplain within the Cienega Springs Ecological Reserve to a mosaic of wetland and riparian habitat types, improve the site’s hydrology for surface water retention and groundwater recharge, and provide a wildlife-oriented recreational opportunity for the surrounding disadvantaged communities.
Objective
Complete implementation of the Sespe Cienega Restoration and Public Access Project
Conduct maintenance activities, including controlling invasive plants, controlling herbivores, and supplemental irrigation, will continue as needed to maximize native plant cover and survival.
Monitoring result to inform ongoing maintenance and adaptive management practices
Watershed Wide Arundo Management
Partner: UC Santa Barbara | RIVRLab
Goal
Eradication of Arundo and other noxious invasive plants from the Santa Clara watershed and enhance ecosystem function and biodiversity.
Objective
Map Arundo and associated native vegetation for Santa Clara River mainstem
and lower tributaries.
Form a strategic plan to prioritize arundo removal and active restoration to maximize short-term ecological & economic benefits (water conservation, fire & flood risk reduction, native & sensitive species habitat).
Promote community involvement through education, volunteer programs, public access
and recreation;
Develop administrative framework to facilitate planning, seeking and administering extramural grants for restoration and related efforts;
Integrate watershed management with anticipated (and current) impacts from climate change.
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Hydrology Study
Partner: UC Santa Barbara | RIVRLab
Goal
Develop plan for water resource management that sustains ecosystem function and associated biodiversity for Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) of the Santa Clara River.
Objective
Collate existing and acquire new data on the dynamics of shallow groundwater as it relates to deeper groundwater and surface flows;
Conduct field studies to better understand dynamics between shallow groundwater hydrology and riparian vegetation, both native woody species and invasive Arundo, in relation to species-specific water use and drought stress;
Document status and trends in biodiversity of aquatic and terrestrial species associated with GDEs.
Incorporate resulting information into water management and sustainable groundwater (SGMA) planning.
Partner: The Nature Conservancy
Goal
Manage the preserve to provide a beautiful place for outdoor education, as well as a place for communities to gather, view wildlife, hike, and connect with the dynamic Santa Clara River. (Formerly known as the Hanson Nature Preserve). The Santa Clara River Preserve is now open!
Objective
Maintain the habitat including movable interpretive elements to withstand seasonal river floods along the Santa Clara River.
Maintain volunteer opportunities and guide hike tours to further education opportunities at this location.
