Santa Paula Creek Flood Risk Management Facility 2026 Emergency Sediment Removal Project

Excessive sediments accumulated within the downstream portion of the Santa Paula Creek Flood Risk Management Facility (Facility), constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and maintained by the Ventura County Watershed Protection District (VCWPD), due to the significant rainstorms that occurred late December 2025. The Governor of California issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency (SOE) on December 24, 2025, and a follow-up on April 17, 2026, clarifying that “the Office of Emergency Services has validated additional damages and costs attributable to the Late December 2025 Storms, including…flooding and a heightened risk of debris flows and mudslides in Ventura County”. In addition, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an El Niño Advisory, clarifying on September 10, 2026, that “During the October-December 2026 season, there is a 75% chance of a historic event that would exceed the strength of previous El Niño events dating back to 1950.” In response, the Governor issued another SOE on September 21, 2026, for the 2026-2027 wet season. To address these risks, VCWPD proposes the Santa Paula Creek Flood Risk Management Facility 2026 Emergency Sediment Removal Project (Project), which will remove up to 70,000 cubic yards of sediment. Between the railroad and just upstream of the Santa Clara River confluence, the work would occur over up to 3,900 linear feet, weather and time permitting. An estimated maximum 12 feet of sediment depth would be removed from the channel, with the excavation depth gradually becoming shallower to daylight at the upstream end. The Project would maintain adequate capacity, prevent overtopping of the concreted rock riprap facility banks, prevent erosion of the east maintenance access road, and prevent undermining and flooding of adjacent commercial and residential properties and roads. The Project would also remove sediments accumulated within the fish ladder at the upstream end of the Facility, and would ensure suitable connection to the low flow channel immediately upstream and downstream of the fish ladder, as specified in the Facility’s Operations, Maintenance, Repair, Replacement, and Rehabilitation (OMRR&R) Manual. This work would occur over about 800 linear feet. Combined total work area within the Facility is up to 14 acres. All materials removed from the site would be transferred to the VCWPD stockpile location on uplands immediately west of the channel and south of Hwy 126. Work would include installation of temporary stream crossings utilizing six 40-ft-lengths of 3-ft-diameter pipes placed side by side to avoid operating heavy equipment in flowing water. Earthen coffer dams comprised of dry alluvium would be placed as needed to divert surface water and allow excavation of accumulated sediment under dry conditions. A team of qualified biologists would relocate aquatic organisms to suitable habitat within flowing water before, during, and immediately following each diversion. Proposed work may take about 90 working days to complete. The work area is currently largely devoid of mature vegetation due to the scouring flows received during the previous three winter storm seasons. Biological surveys would be conducted before work and each morning during work activities to identify and avoid or relocate sensitive biological resources. Work would occur outside the bird nesting season. The temporary diversion channels and final graded channel would be configured to allow successful fish passage. Boulders would be placed in the final channel with guidance from qualified biologists to provide resting areas and cover for aquatic species.