Ventura River
| Ventura River | |
 Ventura River flowing through cobble near Meiners Oaks.
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| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | California |
| Tributaries | |
| - left | San Antonio Creek, Cañada Larga Creek |
| - right | Matilija Creek, North Fork Matilija Creek, Coyote Creek |
| Source | Transverse Ranges |
| - location | Confluence of Matilija Creek and North Fork Matilija Creek, near Ojai |
| - elevation | 6,010 ft (1,832 m) |
| - coordinates | 34°29′07″N 119°18′02″W / 34.48528°N 119.30056°W |
| Mouth | Pacific Ocean |
| - location | Ventura River Estuary, near Ventura |
| - elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| - coordinates | 34°16′32″N 119°18′28″W / 34.27556°N 119.30778°WCoordinates: 34°16′32″N 119°18′28″W / 34.27556°N 119.30778°W |
| Length | 16.2 mi (26 km) |
| Basin | 226 sq mi (585 km2) |
| Discharge | for near Ventura |
| - average | 72.6 cu ft/s (2 m3/s) |
| - max | 63,600 cu ft/s (1,801 m3/s) |
| - min | 0 cu ft/s (0 m3/s) |
The Ventura River, located in western Ventura County in southern California, United States, flows through an eponymous narrow valley with steeply sloped sides. The smallest of the three major rivers in Ventura County, the Ventura River main stem begins at the confluence of Matilija Creek and North Fork Matilija Creek, 16.2-mile upstream (26.1 km) from the Pacific Ocean. Matilija Creek is Ventura River's most significant headwater and tributary, and adds 17.3 miles (27.8 km) to the length of the river's main drainage. San Antonio Creek, the river's second most significant tributary, joins the river from the east halfway to the ocean; Coyote Creek enters the river from the west and Cañada Larga Creek from the east a few of miles downstream. In its final stretch, the Ventura River flows through the Ventura River estuary, which extends from about the 101 Freeway bridge to the Pacific Ocean.
The Ventura River watershed encompasses 226 square miles (590 km2) consisting of steep mountains and foothills, with altitudes ranging from 6,010 feet (1,830 m) to sea level. Valley floors are home to communities and farms. Conditions in much of the watershed remain natural and undeveloped, with 57% of its land area in protected status. Most of the watershed’s primary streams and drainages are unchannelized, though two dams—Casitas and Matilija—and three levees—Ventura River, Casitas Springs, and Live Oak—have modified natural hydrologic patterns.
The northern half of the watershed lies within Los Padres National Forest. The watershed’s southern half includes two cities and a number of unincorporated communities. The City of Ojai lies entirely within the watershed, 13-mile inland (21 km) at an elevation of 746 feet (227 m). Thirteen percent of the City of Ventura lies within the watershed, adjacent to the coast and the lower stretch of the Ventura River. Developed land (excluding grazing) comprises only about 13% of the total land area in the watershed. Agriculture is the dominant land use. Citrus and avocados are the primary irrigated crops grown, and a significant area of land is used for cattle grazing.
The population of the watershed is relatively small and the rate of growth low. The population is approximately 44,140, which represents just 5.4% of Ventura County’s population (as of 2010 Census). The population is 58% white, 37% Hispanic or Latino, 2% Asian, and 3% other races. Income varies widely, and several areas qualify as disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged communities.
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