Carmel River Restoration Project

The San Clemente Dam on the Carmel River was no longer useful due to sedimentation of the reservoir, and was declared a public safety hazard in the 1990s. This project removed the dam and restored the Carmel River’s floodplain and habitat. This improved habitat and connectivity for wildlife, including the threatened steelhead. This project restored the river’s natural sediment regime which will reduce erosion along river banks. River restoration increased recreational opportunities through the preservation of over 900 acres of watershed lands, leading to over 5400 acres of contiguous park land.