MALIBU CREEK ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROJECT

The California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) is currently in the Pre-construction, Engineering, and Design (PED) phase of the Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project, located within Malibu Creek State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles County. State Parks, along with a team of consultants and partners from McMillen, Stillwater Sciences, California Trout (CalTrout) and others are completing biological surveys, hydrology/hydraulic modeling and flood risk assessment, sediment transport modeling, engineering design and plans, environmental permitting, public outreach, and other project studies to advance the project to a 90% level of design.

The project involves the removal of the decommissioned Rindge Dam along Malibu Creek, removal of approximately 780,000 cubic yards of sediment behind the dam, and modification/removal of eight upstream barriers along Las Virgenes and Cold Creeks within the Malibu Creek watershed. When completed the project will restore creek ecosystem functions and increase habitat connectivity, including opening 15 additional miles of stream habitat for the endangered southern California steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), improve climate resiliency and recreation through beach nourishment, and restore more natural hydrologic and sediment transport processes. The project will also improve public safety by removing the obsolete dam where serious injuries and fatalities have occurred from park visitors jumping off the dam’s spillway.

The project began in 1992 when the U.S. House of Representatives commissioned the Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study to improve the Malibu Creek watershed and Malibu shoreline. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and State Parks co-led a dam removal alternatives study, with participation from federal, tribal, state, and local partners and neighboring communities. In November 2020, USACE and State Parks completed a joint Integrated Feasibility Report (IFR) with Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) outlining project impacts, alternatives, and a preferred project. From the alternatives presented, State Parks selected the Locally Preferred Project (LLP) alternative, favored by countless participating groups, to proceed to the PED phase. Currently in the PED phase, State Parks is refining the LPP through additional feasibility and technical studies.

Two public workshops have been held since the start of the PED phase in 2023, one in June 2023 and one in August 2025. Additional public workshops are planned. Please see the Latest News section to the right for upcoming workshops.

For project questions, email restoremalibucreek@parks.ca.gov

For a list of events, visit https://restoremalibucreek.org/events

To sign-up for project updates, visit https://restoremalibucreek.org/subscribe

The Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project has many benefits to local wildlife, beaches, and public safety. 

^{Southern steelhead trout (top) have access to only three miles of their 60+ miles of historic habitat in Malibu Creek watershed. Habitat for western pond turtle (bottom) and other species has been severely impacted. (Photos courtesy of CalTrout and the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains)}

Reconnecting Natural Waterways and Protecting Wildlife Corridors and Habitat

Waterways are the life-blood of natural ecosystems. The removal of in-stream barriers, including Rindge Dam, would reconnect the Malibu Creek corridor and restore creek, lagoon, and beach habitat benefitting sensitive aquatic animals such as the endangered southern California steelhead trout, pacific lamprey, southwestern pond turtle, California red-kegged frog, and many others.

Additionally, Malibu Creek is a key wildlife linkage within the Santa Monica Mountains. Other important species use Malibu Creek for habitat and wildlife movement corridors. These include terrestrial species such as bobcat, mountain lion, ringtail, grey fox, etc.

^{Visualization of the dam removed. Topography of the area behind the dam is currently artificially elevated 100 feet above the natural grade.
Roughly 780,000 cubic yards of material are trapped behind the dam, material that otherwise would move downstream to replenish beaches and surf breaks. (Courtesy California State Parks, 2016).}

Sediment for Local Beaches 

Rindge Dam has an estimated 780,000 cubic yards of sediment trapped behind the dam (about enough to fill the entire Rose Bowl) - sediment that would have naturally made it's way to downstream beaches and the coastline if the dam wasn't there. The dam filled up with sediment in the 1940s or 1950s and is no longer trapping sediment (it's completely full), but holds a valuable resource behind it - sand, cobble, gravels. The project aims to beneficially reuse as much sediment behind the dam for beach nourishment and coastal resiliency as possible. Geotechnical analysis has shown the material to be clean and free of any pollutants or chemicals, making it a valuable resource to the local community. 

^{Eroding beach at Broad Beach (top) and repairing storm damage at the historic Adamson House (bottom) at the Surfrider Beach, 2012. Surfrider Beach, in particular, has been designated as a Beach Erosion Concern Area (BECA, 2010) for its lack of width/elevation to serve recreational demand and protect upland facilities. (Courtesy California State Parks, 2016)}

Improve Public Safety

The dam is an attractive nuisance for those who seek to jump from, climb on, or vandalize the dam. Despite the area being posted off-limits - enforceable by fines - and patrolled, thrill seekers still find their way to the dam. There is concern from responsible agencies about the recent rise in unsafe activities at the dam site.

In recent years there have been a number of serious injuries and fatalities associated with this dangerous behavior at the dam. This also results in rescue operations that are dangerous for first responders and costly for local agencies. Human activities in the area of the dam also create environmental damage including illegal trails and discarded trash and waste.

^{Recreational divers at Rindge Dam pose a significant safety concern. Photos courtesy of Jeff Edwards, Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles.}