Restoring the health and function to one of San Diego’s hidden rivers

Otay River Restoration Project

The Otay River Restoration Project is located in south San Diego County, in the Lower Otay River Watershed, downstream of Savage Dam and Otay Lakes. HomeFed is the mitigation bank sponsor, providing restoration for over 300 acres; restoring hydrology and fluvial processes to the river valley by reestablishing a low flow channel and floodplain terrace, seasonal ponds, as well as invasive species removal and enhancement of a large upland buffer. Enhancement and creation for a variety of sensitive species and habitats including least Bell’s vireo, San Diego fairy shrimp, vernal pools, maritime succulent scrub, and native grassland are also provided in these restoration efforts.

Endangered Species:

Coastal California Gnatcatcher
Coastal California Gnatcatcher
Photo by Mark Dodero
San Diego Fairy Shrimp
San Diego Fairy Shrimp
Photo by Lisa Cox/USFWS via Wikimedia Commons
Riverside Fairy Shrimp
Riverside Fairy Shrimp
Photo by Dale Ritenour
Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Photo by Mark Dodero
Checkerspot Butterfly
Checkerspot Butterfly
Photo by Dale Ritenour
Least Bell’s Vireo
Least Bell’s Vireo
Photo by Courtney Casey

Otay River & Mitigation Bank Program:

Mitigation credits will be available for purchase with the initial credit release expected at the end of 2020 and the mitigation bank restoration installation beginning in 2021.

Public Seminars & Symposiums

There are no events planned at this time.

Project Partners

HomeFed Corporation; ICF; County of San Diego Parks and Recreation; Otay Water District; City of San Diego; City of Chula Vista; County of San Diego; US Customs and Border Protection; SDGE