Malibu Lagoon Restoration and Enhancement
Program
In-stream Habitat Restoration
Primary RCD
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Lead Implementer
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Funders
California Department of Parks and Recreation, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Authority, Wildlife Conservation Board
Other Organizations
Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, California State Coastal Conservancy, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission
Project Primary Contact
John Hendra (jhendra@rcdsmm.org)
Project Stage
Completed
Duration
2011 - 2012
Watershed Restoration
In-stream Habitat Restoration
The Malibu Creek watershed is the second largest watershed draining into the Santa Monica Bay and its lagoon had long been labeled impaired with low oxygen levels and substantial sedimentation. Malibu Lagoon was first restored in 1983 when CDPR purchased the land and restored the former Caltrans dump site/ball fields back to a lagoon. This restoration design focused on visitor experience at the cost of ecological function; the benthic invertebrate and fish community steadily declined in the years after the initial restoration. The Malibu Lagoon Restoration and Enhancement Project, completed Oct. 29, 2012, has improved water quality and restored habitat conditions in Malibu Lagoon.
Key Accomplishments
- Habitat Restoration/Creation: 12.00 acres
- Special Status Fish Species Habitat: 1,600.00 lf
Project Themes
- Education
- Wildlife/Endangered Species
- Healthy Watersheds
Overlooking Malibu Lagoon facing PCH Hwy
Credit: RCD Biologist
Location
Expenditures
Expenditures by Funding Source to Date: $505,590.00
General Fund (CDPR): $64,690
Prop 50 (WCB): $417,200
Prop 50 (SMBRA): $23,700
Photos
Pre-Restoration Water quality issues (Timing: Before)
Credit: RCDSMM Biologist
Malibu Lagoon during restoration of western side (Timing: During)
Credit: RCDSMM Biologist
Overview of Malibu Lagoon 6 years after restoration (Timing: After)
Credit: RCDSMM Biologist
Bird Blind interpretive feature incorporated into Malibu Lagoon restoration (Timing: After)
Credit: RCDSMM Biologist
Project last updated 2/15/2023