As for Matilija Dam (a site CalTrout has been involved with for decades), recently the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved a contract for technical studies on removing the dam. They’ve hired engineering firm AECOM to find a way to reduce the impact from the built-up sediment behind the dam, while minimizing costs and time.
This is Phase 1 of the $3.3 million Matilija Dam Removal 65% Planning Design Project that CalTrout helped develop, and is the last planning part of the project. Field work is expected to begin this summer and the final feasibility report to be completed summer 2019.
CalTrout is pleased that we can help guide these dam reoperations to ensure that climate change is adequately incorporated, ecological resilience is built, and the needs of both fish and people are balanced.
Matilija Progress
RESTORATION
Construction completed.
Condemned and removal considered; County elects to notch.
Notched a second time.
Decommissioned; County moves to remove dam.
Ventura River
Flood control and water storage for agriculture
168 feet, 198 feet originally before notching
Less than 500 acre-feet (originally 7,000 acre-feet)
MATILIJA FACTS
1948:
1964:
1978:
1998:
Impounds:
Primary use:
Height:
Current
reservoir
capacity: