The Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project (MDERP) is a public-private partnership to remove the obsolete Matilija Dam from the Ventura River Watershed.
MDERP includes a series of projects that will modernize infrastructure for flood protection and water supply resilience, restore wildlife habitat, and support natural sediment transport and beach replenishment.
Modernize downstream infrastructure for improved flood protection and long-term water resilience
Improve watershed habitat through removal of invasive species
Restore natural processes to support beach replenishment through transport of sediments downstream
Enhance recreational opportunities and access to public open space amenities
Restore endangered steelhead access to Matilija Creek headwaters
Support economic growth and job creation
Matilija Canyon Outreach Ventura County Watershed Protection District (WPD) staff attended the annual Matilija Canyon Property Owners Association meeting on Saturday morning, November 8, 2025. Staff spoke to residents one-on-one, collected contact information for future outreach, and made a presentation to the group about MDERP. The main focus of the…
2025 Walk in the Ventura River Watershed Ventura County Watershed Protection District participated in the 3rd Annual Ventura County District 1 Walk in the Watershed (WiW) event on Saturday, October 25, 2025. The WiW was held at Foster Park and the Ventura Land Trust’s Big Rock Preserve along the Ventura…
Watershed Protection District to Prepare Ventura River Watershed Plan We are pleased to announce that after a successful application process, the Watershed Protection District entered into a Grant Agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on September 8, 2025, to prepare a Watershed Plan-Environmental Assessment (WP-EA) for the Ventura…
On May 13, 2025, two representatives of the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) met with local team members of the proposed Robles Diversion modification project (see Project Elements) to familiarize themselves with the existing Robles Diversion facilities. This site visit was followed up by an afternoon meeting to go…
On March 21, 2025, staff from the Federal Consistency Unit of the California Coastal Commission (CCC) visited Matilija Dam for an update on the MDERP. Representatives from Once Upon a Watershed, Surfrider Foundation, and Ventura County Watershed Protection joined the tour to provide information and answer questions. CCC staff in…
On Thursday, February 15, 2024 the Board of Directors of the California State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) approved two grant increase requests for up to $7.8 million total for priority planning, design, outreach and pre-acquisition needs as part of the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project (MDERP). The first grant includes up…
On December 14, 2023, the VCPWA-Watershed Protection provided an educational presentation on the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project to interested members of the Ventura River Watershed Council. The presentation was followed up by a tour of the Matilija Dam where participants were provided the opportunity to see the antiquated facility…
VCPWA-Watershed Protection is soliciting public input regarding the scope and content of a Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) focused on the dam removal component of the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project. A public scoping meeting was held on December 7, 2023, and comments may be submitted anytime starting on November…
Beginning in October 2023, Ventura County Public Works Agency is meeting with property owners neighboring the Ventura River whose property could be directly impacted by dam removal. These Listening Sessions are the first step in a series of meetings and discussions to connect and collaborate with watershed stakeholders. If you’ve…
On Saturday, October 14 Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere and VCPWA-Watershed Protection hosted a two-mile walk along the Ventura River Trail to provide information and to hear your thoughts about the Ventura River watershed, Matilija Dam removal and related topics. The walk started promptly at 9:00am at the Ventura River…
Presentation to Board of Supervisors – On Tuesday May 16, 2023, the Ventura County Public Works Agency Director shared an overview of the MDERP and recent Project updates with the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. The final Board meeting agenda, supporting materials, minutes and a recording of the meeting are available…
