Local Heroes honored in the July 2, 2015 issue of the Ventura County Reporter include Paul Jenkin, "Keeper of the Coast." The article highlights Paul's work as the "environmental guy" with the Ventura County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation including Surfers' Point, Matilija Dam, and projects aimed at restoring the Ventura River watershed. “As keepers…
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Presentations: KYH2O and Matilija Dam
Two recent presentations are now available for online viewing: Why (Fresh) Water is Important to SurfersNovember 21, 2013 - Channel Islands Maritime Museum.This presentation describes the Ventura River watershed and Surfrider's "Know Your H2O" approach to solving the ongoing water management crisis. Matilija Dam: Taking Another Look (A Brief History and Update)March 22, 2014: Salmonid…
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FEMA levee certification
According to the Ojai Valley News: FEMA has been in the process of certifying flood protection levees nationwide. A recent study ordered by FEMA has determined that the Live Oak Acres Levee along the Ventura River, originally constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, cannot be certified as meeting FEMA’s new standards. This means…
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County found liable for flood damage
July 7, 2008 According to the Ventura County Star, "the county could end up paying millions of dollars to residents after a judge ruled Monday that four projects built by the county diverted high water flows from the Ventura River that slammed onto the bottom of the Monte Vista bluff, causing erosion and damaging houses...The…
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Land Conservancy hosts Matilija Dam lecture and tour
It's always fun to show people around and explain the complex project to remove Matilija Dam. This past weekend the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy hosted an evening presentation and morning field tour... (video courtesy of Rich Reid) Friday, April 25th at 7pm Healthy River, Healthy Community - Part IPresentation by: Paul Jenkin of the Matilija…
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Tales of the Ventura River
Visit with the old-timers at Phil's Barber Shop as they reminisce about the "good old days" when the Ventura River ran free. Also see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d1Iu4Gd37Y&feature=share&list=UUiGQHRL2sASeYzgwr25d1zw This video is long, but contains some interesting insight into the history of the watershed, and how water supply and flood control altered the historic runs of steelhead and…
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Ojai Quarry Impacts the Ventura River
In March, 2006, rock mining operations at the Ojai Quarry on Highway 33 caused a landslide that blocked the North Fork of Matilija Creek with large boulders and debris. Despite newspaper articles and the involvement of numerous government agencies, the creek remains blocked as yet another winter steelhead migration season begins. As these photos show,…
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Aussie dam tour
Oct 8, 2007 Surfrider Australia representatives Stuart Ball and Chris Tola took an afternoon to visit Matilija Dam during their recent visit to the US. Since the surf was flat, our mates from Down Under enjoyed the 'full immersion' watershed experience.
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Arundo Eradication in Matilija Canyon
The first step in the Matilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration project has begun with the Arundo eradication program. Work will begin in Matilija Canyon, starting in the reservoir area above the dam, and will utilize foliar spraying of herbicide. The intent is to move to the headwaters and "get" all the Arundo in Matilija Creek before…
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