![venture river venture river](https://photos.fleetmon.com/vessels/river-venture_0_1120423_Large.jpg)
The population of the watershed is relatively small and the rate of growth low. Only 13% of the larger city of Ventura lies within the watershed, adjacent to the coast on the lower stretch of the Ventura River. The smaller of the two cities, Ojai, lies entirely within the watershed, 13-mile inland (21 km) at an elevation of 746 feet (227 m). The populated area includes two cities and a number of unincorporated communities. The watershed's southern half has agriculture as the dominant land use, with irrigated citrus and avocados as the primary crops while a significant area of land is used for cattle grazing. The northern half of the watershed lies within Los Padres National Forest.
![venture river venture river](https://s3-media3.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/Ic4wr8JxL0kkDu75_oAKjA/o.jpg)
ĭeveloped land (excluding grazing) comprises only about 13% of the total land area in the watershed. Most of the watershed's primary streams and drainages are unchannelized, though the natural hydrologic patterns have been modified by two dams (the Casitas and Matilija) and three levees (the Ventura River, Casitas Springs, and Live Oak).
![venture river venture river](https://photos.plugshare.com/photos/223494.jpg)
Conditions in much of the watershed remain natural and undeveloped, with 57% of its land area in protected status. Valley floors are home to communities and farms. The Ventura River watershed encompasses 226 square miles (590 km 2) consisting of steep mountains and foothills, with altitudes ranging from 6,010 feet (1,830 m) to sea level.