If you are curious about the Water Quality in the Channel Islands Harbor?
June 2025: Neighborhood News – Update on Channel Islands Harbor Water Quality
As we are all observing the higher volume of algae and discoloration of the water in the Channel Islands Harbor, The Marine Advisory Committee would like to provide an update.
The Marine Advisory Committee (MAC) was formed shortly after the power plant closed in February 2018. MAC volunteers have been sampling and studying the water quality for some time. During that time the MAC volunteers observed a correlation between abundant algae and the dissolved oxygen level depletion. Therefore, one immediate concern is a fish kill due to lack of dissolved oxygen.
MAC in coordination with City of Oxnard have identified some initial efforts as follows:
- A contractor on May 14th started to remove algae
- MAC volunteers will conduct field measurements to identify what is in the water
- Oxnard Fire Department has a plan to address a fish kill
Finally, the city has hired a specialized engineering firm to identify and evaluate the longer-term options to address the harbor water quality issues.
What you can do if you live adjacent to the water is to remove algae and dispose of it in the green waste garbage container. In addition, you can use the City 311 application to report specific areas that you observed to be problematic. Please go to www.oxnard.gov/oxnard-311.
CINC and MAC will provide updates as we learn more about the harbor water quality situation.
We appreciate the efforts from Special Districts, Public Works, and the City Manager.
On Behalf of the Channel Islands Neighborhood Council Board of Directors
Dave Copper
Channel Islands Neighborhood Council, Communications and Technology, Chair
