United water conservation district will improve an existing fish passage structure on the freeman diversion on the santa clara river in ventura county, california

The Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation awarded United Water Conservation District $4.67 million on December 9, 2025, under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) program (CFDA 15.507) to improve fish passage infrastructure on the Santa Clara River.

United Water Conservation District will modify the Freeman Diversion structure on the Santa Clara River in Ventura County, California, and install modern equipment to enable safer and more effective downstream migration of federally endangered Southern California steelhead and other aquatic species. The current diversion configuration threatens safe, timely, and effective passage of these organisms. The project protects critical water supplies for local communities while supporting steelhead population and river system health. Development involved collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and local stakeholders, and the work supports the Freeman Diversion Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

Place of performance is Oxnard, California. The period of performance runs through March 31, 2029. WaterSMART provides cost-shared financial assistance on a competitive, merit-based basis for water management improvement projects, including water and energy efficiency initiatives that yield quantifiable water savings. Environmental and cultural resource compliance is required before commencement of project activities.

The santa clara river hosts a population of federally endangered southern california steelhead, and the current diversion configuration threatens safe, timely, and effective downstream migration of steelhead and other aquatic species. United will modify the freeman diversion structure and install modern equipment to allow for safer and more effective passage of aquatic organisms. The project will support the health of the steelhead population and the river system while protecting critical water supplies for local communities. The project was developed in collaboration with a diverse set of local stakeholders, the national marine fisheries service, and the california department of fish and wildlife, and supports the freeman diversion multiple species habitat conservation plan.