The History of Rindge Dam and 100 Years of Impacts
100 Years of Environmental Impact
Since the 1950s, Rindge Dam has sat purposeless, waiting to be removed. The dam has altered the hydrology, geomorphology, and habitat of the Malibu Creek watershed and remains a complete barrier for migration for the state and federally endangered southern
California steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as well as many other species. Smaller barriers, such as culverts and bridges, in upstream tributaries along Cold and Las Virgenes Creeks have also impacted fish passage and habitat connectivity. Removing the dam, reconnecting segmented habitat corridors, and restoring more natural hydrology and sediment transport in Malibu Creek will revitalize a key watershed in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Today, with the challenges of sea level rise and coastal erosion, Rindge Dam can provide a benefit to the local coastline. Behind the dam more than 780,000 cubic yards of sediment, equivalent to filling the Rose Bowl, should have naturally flowed to downstream habitats, into the ocean, and onto adjacent beaches. That sediment is currently trapped, but through the MCERP it will be removed and placed at local beaches and along the coast to nourish our coastline.
Story Map: Explore the Malibu Creek Watershed
What’s Behind Rindge Dam?
Rindge Dam was constructed as a private dam by the Rindge Family in the 1920s to provide a steady water supply for local ranching, agriculture, and landscape irrigation. The reservoir filled with sediment by the 1940s. There was an attempt to remove the sediment but by the 1950s, it filled again.
The obsolete dam was officially decommissioned in 1967. The land surrounding Rindge Dam was purchased by the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) in 1976 as part of Malibu Creek State Park. State Parks now owns the dam and is leading the project to remove it along with the removal/mitigation of eight upstream barriers to reconnect and restore the watershed.
Identifying Solutions
The Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project will remove Rindge Dam and the sediment trapped behind the dam, and repair eight additional barriers above the dam. This work will accomplish two important goals:
It will provide valuable sand to local beaches increasing coastal resiliency and recreation opportunities.
The process to remove Rindge Dam began in 1992 in response to a U.S. House of Representatives resolution. The Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study was a response to the resolution and aimed to investigate ecosystem restoration opportunities within the Malibu Creek watershed to the nearby Pacific Ocean shoreline, specifically addressing aquatic and riparian ecosystem habitat connectivity problems and potential restoration of a more natural sediment transport regime. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and State Parks led this study and an Integrated Feasibility Report (IFR) with Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was completed in 2020. The project recommendation included removing the Rindge Dam concrete arch and spillway and excavating approximately 780,000 cubic yards of sediment accumulated behind the dam.
Twenty five Miles from LA is a Coastal Mountain Oasis
Current Work and Next Steps
The 2021-2022 California State Budget allocated $12.5 million for State Parks to advance the project from the IFR phase to the Pre-construction, Engineering, and Design (PED)
phase which includes planning, design, and technical studies leading to removal of the dam. Over the last several years, State Parks along with the project team has completed geotechnical analysis; hydraulic and sediment transport modeling; hydrology modeling; alternatives analyses; engineering design; biological resource evaluations; and communication and public outreach. California Trout has partnered with State Parks to lead communication and public outreach.
State Parks and the project team are continuing to advance design and engineering towards a 90% level of completion, scheduled for mid-2027. 100% design and engineering will be completed shortly after with dam removal anticipated to start in 2029, pending funding.
Through the current PED phase, we are assessing and analyzing impacts of the project and are working with partners and local communities to understand and address concerns, developing a project supported by and developed for the community. The MCERP is an exciting, landscape scale restoration project that is a model for the future. By reconnecting the aquatic corridor of Malibu Creek, we can prevent the extinction of southern California steelhead, support native species, and restore a remarkably biodiverse watershed that is largely under public ownership.
Public Engagement
As the MCERP advances, public engagement and partnerships will be a critical component of ensuring our community members and stakeholders are informed and their voices heard and reflected in project considerations. If you wish to communicate your views, request a meeting or presentation, or would like to receive more information, please email restoremalibucreek@parks.ca.gov
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