Santa Clara River Trail Final Master Plan - Development Services ...

Santa Clara River Trail Plan
Existing Physical Setting
The project site extends for 4.87 miles along the south bank of the Santa Clara River and includes a
southern spur connection south to W. Gonzales Road for a bikeway connection to the Pacific Ocean. For
most of this distance, the project limits are generally confined to the top of existing flood control
structures (SBP areas and levees). These flood control structures vary in height from approximately 10-15
feet above the bed of the Santa Clara River in the western third of the project to 15-20 feet above the bed
in the majority of the eastern segment between Highway 101 and Central Avenue. These levee segments
are topped by a flood control access road of generally 25-40 feet in width. This road is paved in some
areas and is dirt or gravel in others. However, in the central 2,000 foot segment of the project west of
Highway 101, no levee currently exists and the project site encompasses a mix of low upland bank areas
and river bed.
Resource Areas
AESTHETICS
The proposed project is adjacent to the
Santa Clara River, a recognized valuable
scenic resource adjacent to the northern
boundary of the City of Oxnard. With a
width that generally varies from 1,500 to
2,500 feet in the project vicinity, the
riverbed provides a wide open corridor that
facilitates sweeping views of the Oxnard
Plain, with South Mountain and the Topa
Topa Mountains to the east. The river’s
wide channel supports large areas of natural
undeveloped open space, which contrasts
with urban uses in the City of Oxnard to the
south and the City of Ventura to the north.
Views to the north from the project site are dominated by the riverbed, with low-lying agricultural fields,
low-density rural structures, and sand/gravel industrial facilities beyond. The large stands of native trees
and shrubs enhance the natural aesthetic qualities of this open space and make the river a recognized
regional scenic asset (City of Oxnard 2004).
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES
Locations along the project offer panoramic views of
the Santa Clara River valley with a backdrop of
mountain peaks.
The project site is located within the Oxnard Plain, a major agricultural production region known for its
prime soils and favorable growing climate. Significant agricultural uses exist along the Santa Clara River
in the general project vicinity, with the area producing a significant portion of the State of California’s
strawberry crop every year. Other major agriculture products in the region include sugar beets and lima
beans. Within the City of Oxnard Planning Area, 22,782 acres of land are under agricultural production.
Water for agriculture is drawn largely from the Oxnard Plain Basin aquifer (City of Oxnard 2004).
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