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.

River

BENEFITS

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

News & Announcements

Matilija Canyon Outreach

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…

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2025 Walk in the Ventura River Watershed

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…

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Watershed Protection District to Prepare Ventura River Watershed Plan

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…

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