To enhance flood protection on the Santa Clara River south of the 101 in Oxnard, rehabilitation is needed to comply with FEMA levee certification requirements.

Phase I (2018) – downstream of UPRR raised the levee, added rock riprap bank protection, construction of floodway, drainage system, fencing and appurtenances.

Phase II – SCR-3 Levee Project – involves a coordinated effort of County, City of Oxnard, private development and CA Department of Water Resources funding. Design and construction of a new levee, flood walls and flood gate downstream of Union Pacific Railroad crossing to meet the Federally mandated levee certification regulations.

Webpage:
https://publicworks.venturacounty.gov/wp/santa-clara-river/santaclarariverlevee-3/

The main purpose of a debris basin is to catch and collect all the sediment material produced by the storm runoff coming from the mountain range upstream of the basin. Basins need to have sediment removed periodically, and the accumulation of sediment was more pronounced due to the 2023 and 2024 winter storms. The District applied for FEMA financial assistance due to the severity of the storms, FEMA will reimburse 75% of the costs, with the remaining 25% reimbursed by California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and District funding.

Watershed Protection needs to clean out the debris basins in preparation for the 2025-2026 rain season. Maintenance of the debris basins are routinely covered by the Watershed Protection Operations and Maintenance division, but Design and Construction will put larger projects out to bid. On track for this year are Arundell Debris Basin in Ventura, Stewart Canyon Debris Basin in Ojai, and Adams Debris Basin located outside of Santa Paula.