Ventura County | Removing Arundo donax to Improve Groundwater Supply and Enhance Habitat

Removal of high water consuming exotic plants from streams and other areas may reduce water consumption thus increasing groundwater recharge. For example, Arundo donax (commonly known as “giant reed”), uses six times more water than native plants. In Ventura County, stakeholders are working to include Arundo removal in their groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) as a supply enhancement strategy. In addition to improving groundwater supply, removing invasive plants can reduce flood risk, reduce fire risk and improve groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs).