Malibu Creek Watershed Tour
A Day-Long Learning Adventure

“Wow, I never knew that!” was a common theme, as nearly 100 local residents progressed through a day-long discovery tour of the Malibu Creek Watershed. This “Field Trip for Adults” was a chance to get in touch with the natural wonders, resources, and challenges of the region, from the lagoon in Malibu all the way to the creek’s headwaters in Ventura County.

The adventure began at Malibu City Hall, where speakers set the context of the creek’s central role in the Santa Monica Mountains. L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky identified Malibu Creek as “One of the most surprising discoveries for people visiting the region. They don’t expect to find this special environment in Los Angeles.”

Setting the context for the tour

“Wow, I never knew that!” was a common theme, as nearly 100 local residents progressed through a day-long discovery tour of the Malibu Creek Watershed. This “Field Trip for Adults” was a chance to get in touch with the natural wonders, resources, and challenges of the region, from the lagoon in Malibu all the way to the creek’s headwaters in Ventura County.

The adventure began at Malibu City Hall, where speakers set the context of the creek’s central role in the Santa Monica Mountains. L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky identified Malibu Creek as “One of the most surprising discoveries for people visiting the region. They don’t expect to find this special environment in Los Angeles.”

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky

People remarked they “felt like a kid again” as they boarded bright orange school busses and headed off for an overview of the complex ecosystem of Malibu Lagoon, where Suzanne Goode of the California Department of Parks and Recreation gave a brief history of the area and why it’s important to restore and maintain this natural habitat.

The next stop was a dramatic overlook of Rindge Dam from a “perch” on Piuma Road. Built in 1926 as an effort to provide a reliable water supply, it quickly gathered silt behind it, rendering it useless in just a few decades. CalTrout’s Jim Edmondson spoke about the dam’s impact on steelhead migration.

Tapia Water Reclamation Facility was next—where wastewater from 85,000 watershed residents is treated and—largely—recycled as beneficial landscape products. While most participants had not even considered a visit to a wastewater treatment facility, many described the behind-the-scenes tour as the “high point of the day.”

Malibu Lagoon

Touring LVMWD's Tapia Water Reclamation Facility

LVMWD’s Water Reclamation Manager Carlos Reyes led a step-by-step tour of the complex treatment process that transforms sewage into beneficial recycled water. Then, Dr. Randal Orton, LVMWD’s Watershed Manager, reminded the group of the impacts we all have on the environment in his lively presentation, “Recycling 101—or Why We’d Rather You Skip the Quarter-Pounder with Cheese.” This entertaining talk related our individual role in helping the local ecosystem by “living lightly” as residents of the watershed. Tapia helps significantly by transforming our waste into beneficial recycled water and compost, and by reducing nutrients from wastewater by over 85%. Orton reminded the group that the dynamics of Malibu Creek are complex. “There are no simple answers, but improvements in the health of the watershed can be found through working together and acting now.”

Final stop for the tour was the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, in the area formerly known as Ahmanson Ranch. At the headwaters of Malibu Creek, Assemblymember Fran Pavley and Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks shared their experiences in helping to permanently protect this magnificent, extensive native habitat for future generations.

A magnificent view from
Piuma Road

Assemblymember
Fran Pavley

LVMWD is proud to have worked in close partnership with the Resource Conservation District, city and county governments, and environmental organizations throughout the watershed to make the day a success.

and the pristine California landscape at
Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve.

If you’re interested in joining future watershed tours, e-mail melina.watts@rcdsmm.org

For group tours of the Tapia facility, e-mail dpeters@lvmwd.com