Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Program: 65% design & permitting

Matilija Dam, located on the Ventura River, is a 168-foot high concrete arch dam built in 1947 for water storage. The reservoir behind Matilija Dam is almost filled in with sediment, significantly reducing storage capacity to the point of rendering the dam nonfunctional. With no fish ladder or bypass structure present, it is a complete barrier to the migration of endangered Southern California steelhead. Dam removal will reconnect access to critical steelhead habitat, improve fish passage, and reestablish natural sediment transport in the watershed.
The Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Program: Planning and Design project will develop restoration designs and engineering plans to remove Matilija Dam and implement associated projects in a manner that would reduce the impact of impounded sediment while minimizing costs and time associated with sediment removal. This project includes field investigations, risk management, independent technical review, 30%, 65% and final project design for dam removal and multiple downstream components, a Real Estate Plan, CEQA/NEPA compliance, tribal engagement, a project permitting plan, technical analysis, virtual and physical modeling, community engagement and associated design oversight and stakeholder meetings. The Planning and Design Phase will be followed by implementation of necessary downstream projects before dam removal and habitat restoration.