03.06.2026

Arroyo Hondo Preserve – Storm Recovery Updates

January storms caused extensive damage at Arroyo Hondo Preserve, including flooding, landslides, and impacts to trails, roads, parking areas, and infrastructure. Affected areas include trail corridors, creek crossings, parking areas, the main water tank, and areas near the barn.

For safety reasons, Arroyo Hondo Preserve remains closed. Some parts of the preserve are still difficult to access as the ground continues to shift and settle, and recovery work is proceeding carefully and deliberately.

Staff across the Land Trust have been deeply involved in recovery efforts, dedicating significant time and care to assessing damage, coordinating with experts, documenting conditions, adjusting programs, and responding to community questions. While stewardship staff have led much of the on-the-ground landscape work, recovery has required coordination and support from across the organization as conditions continue to change. Some immediate stabilization work has been completed, but many repairs cannot begin until the ground is fully stable and dry.

Impact on Public Access & Programs

Due to storm damage and ongoing safety concerns, Arroyo Hondo Preserve will remain closed through March, with reopening beyond that dependent on weather conditions and site stability. As a result, we have had to cancel or postpone:

22 days of school field trips
4 community events
12 open access days
4 volunteer events
Multiple planned community hikes

Recovery Progress to Date

Recent recovery and stabilization efforts include:

Cleared mud, sediment, and storm debris from the gravel road, restoration areas, and key trail sections
Stabilized erosion and completed targeted post-storm repairs, including protection for the well solar system and diversion of water away from vulnerable areas
Repaired the landslide affecting the preserve’s main water tank and restored functionality to both water systems
Regraded and cleared vegetation along the East Road easement, with support from Caltrans
Completed hand work on trails to redirect water away from slides and erosion-prone areas
Installed a new equipment container to store tools and education supplies while the barn remains unusable, and prepared portions of the preserve for a potential return to guided programs later this spring (pending safety conditions)

Steelhead Trout Update

Many supporters have asked about the endangered steelhead trout relocated to Arroyo Hondo Creek in 2025 following the Palisades Fire.

After the January storm, biologists from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife returned to the preserve to assess conditions and repair monitoring equipment impacted by floodwaters. Despite storm impacts, surveys confirm that steelhead remain active in the creek, with spawning activity already observed this season.

To date:

60 trout are now PIT-tagged for remote monitoring
Active spawning nests (“redds”) have been identified in the creek

While intense storms can cause losses, they can also reshape habitat in ways that create deeper pools critical for long-term survival. Ongoing monitoring will help scientists understand how this resilient population responds as spawning progresses.

What’s Next

Recovery at Arroyo Hondo will continue in careful phases as conditions allow. In the coming weeks and months, our team will focus on:

Planning for longer-term repairs to roads, trails, and infrastructure impacted by the storm
Scheduling heavy equipment work during the dry season, when soils are more stable and access is safer
Conducting additional drone mapping and aerial surveys to document landslides and monitor how conditions change through the rainy season
Engaging a geotechnical engineer to perform a risk assessment that will help guide future stabilization and repair work*

*If you know of a geotechnical engineer with experience in landslide or hillside risk assessment, we welcome recommendations sent to [email protected]