Mission AqueductVentura County Landmark Number 28
The Mission Aqueduct Needs Help!The Mission Padres and Indians built the seven-mile long aqueduct around 1805-15 to bring water to the Mission. Over the years weather and development have destroyed most of it. The primary remaining segment is located on Canada Larga Road. It is about one hundred feet long and seven feet high and five to ten feet wide including the supporting buttresses. The Ventura County Parks Department owns the site. The site was purchased in the Seventies to prevent destruction. County Parks maintains the site with a fence, weeding, security and grading. The Mission Aqueduct in the Ventura River Valley is in need of long-term weather protection. The Mission Aqueduct is one of the County’s oldest and most valuable Landmarks (No. 28), State Landmark, and National Register site, and one of the very few recognized by all three government levels. The El Nino and 2005 rain storms eroded the site bringing the nearby creek closer, destroyed the protective fence, and tipped the front segment of the Aqueduct on its side.The Mission Aqueduct Task ForceAs a result of the storm damage, the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board created the Mission Aqueduct Task Force to study and make recommendations that assure the long-term viability of the site. The membership is open to any interested person. The Task Force examines physical, jurisdictional/support, and documentation problems of the Aqueduct. In early 1999, Robert Lopez, a Moorpark College Archaeologist, his students, and Task Force members led a site walk of the entire seven-mile length of the Aqueduct to record the route on topographic maps and to find any remaining segments. Additionally, members of the Task Force photo documented the site and the County Museum created a bibliography of the known materials. The Task Force has acknowledged that the long term protection from downstream bank erosion remains the primary concern. Our primary objective is to obtain $10,000 for an engineering feasibility study to find a bank erosion solution. Additionally, most seem to preliminarily agree that a permanent, protective roof is also needed. This might also include very limited site development with several parking spaces and more educational materials. This would also require substantial protection of the structure from vandalism.Recent Activities: A sign has been added to the site giving minimal historic context. At our request, Caltrans is about to install signs on Highway 33 directing the public to the State Landmark. Other important changes include a regrading of the site to divert rainwater, rebuilding the fence, and temporarily installing “J” rails in February 2008 due to a pending major storm. The Future: All of the site protection steps will require funds not presently available. Therefore, donations are being sought to assist in preserving this important vestige of Ventura County's, California's and the Nation's history. If you feel so inclined please call the number at the end of the newsletter about where to direct a donation. Further reading: There are several fine studies that have been done over the years that are open to the public. More About Mission Aqueduct |
| ► History of Mission Aqueduct |
| ► Problem Assessment |
