Portola Redwoods State Park Streamflow Enhancement and Drought Resilience Project

Project Description:

State Parks, San Mateo Resource Conservation District and Trout Unlimited are building a 600,000 gallon water tank in Portola Redwoods State Park. With this new water storage, the park will be able to take water from the creek in winter when it is more abundant and use it in summer and fall when the creek is low. It will improve water security for the campground and facilities to be able operate year-round, not having to close when the creek is too low. And not drawing water from the creek in summer and fall will improve habitat for wildlife like steelhead trout and coho salmon. The project builds on decades of effort by the three organizations to improve drought resilience and restore habitat throughout the watershed.

Construction is planned to start on September 16, 2025, and finish March 23, 2026. Day-use activities in the park are expected to remain open to the public, but most of the campground will be closed during construction. Some group sites may remain open.

Contact:

Ryan Silsbee, ryan@sanmateoRCD.org