Ventura River Watershed Resilience Plan
The Ventura River Watershed Resilience Plan (VRWRP)— completed in 2026— serves as both a planning document and a resource summarizing watershed conditions, climate risks, and opportunities for action.
The plan contains a table of contents and acknowledgements, an executive summary, 7 chapters, references, and appendices, which can be downloaded as a complete document or as individual sections.
Complete Plan
Table of Contents & Acknowledgements
Executive Summary
Chapters 1-3: Introduction, Watershed Network, State of the Watershed
View the Ventura River Watershed Network Assessment StoryMap
Supporting Tools Developed for the StoryMap:
- Community Partner Survey Dashboard
- Community Partner Profiles Web App
- Watershed Network Kumu Map
Chapters 4-5: Future Climate Conditions, Climate Change Vulnerability
Chapters 6-7: Adaptation Strategies, Actions, and Implementation Roadmaps, Performance Indicators for Watershed Resilience
References
Appendices
About the Watershed Resilience Plan
The Ventura River Watershed Resilience Plan (VRWRP), completed in 2026, is a comprehensive, watershed‑scale effort designed to strengthen long‑term climate resilience, water reliability, and ecosystem function throughout the Ventura River Watershed. It serves as both a planning document and a resource summarizing watershed conditions, climate risks, and opportunities for action. This plan builds on the 2015 Ventura River Watershed Management Plan by addressing topics not covered there, including:
- Progress and key developments since 2015, including implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), advancement of Matilija Dam removal project, and alignment with ongoing watershed efforts
- Stronger watershed collaboration and more inclusive engagement, including assessment of the Watershed Council network and expanded participation from underserved communities and Tribes
- Development of a shared vision and guiding principles for watershed resilience
- Updated watershed understanding, with enhanced “state of the watershed,” a watershed-scale water budget, and integration of recent hydrologic studies and modeling outputs
- A clearer picture of climate risk, informed by updated climate projections and identification of key vulnerabilities across watershed systems
- Action-oriented adaptation strategies and implementation pathways, including priority actions and metrics to track progress over time
The VRWRP provides a data‑informed and locally grounded framework that aligns regional priorities, assesses climate vulnerabilities, and identifies pathways to action shaped by the watershed’s unique hydrology and high level of community engagement. In doing so, the plan is intended to support coordinated decision-making, inform project development, and position the watershed for future funding and implementation opportunities.
The VRWRP builds on and aligns with existing regional efforts, including the 2015 Ventura River Watershed Management Plan, the 2019 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Plan, Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSPs), and other land use, hazard mitigation, and resource management programs.
Clarity, accessibility, and ease of use were key priorities in the development of the plan. The document includes maps, charts, and other visual elements to support understanding and navigation.
Funding for this project has been provided in full or in part from the Budget Act of 2022 and through an agreement with the State Department of Water Resources.