Beach Sand Replenishment Begins Next Week

Moving Beach Quality Sands From San Elijo Lagoon To Cardiff State Beach Is Set To Begin.

Now fully assembled, the Ross Island Dredge No. 10 in the Central Basin is about to begin its work in delivering sands from the lagoon overdredge pit to Cardiff State Beach.

Ross Island Dredge No. 10—San Elijo Lagoon Central Basin

Beginning next week the dredge will operate 24 hours a day, 6 days a week (except Sundays) for approximately 6 weeks. Lagoon neighbors and visitors may expect to hear noise and see nighttime lighting near the Pole Road adjacent to Coast Highway 101.

16-inch pipes are in place now that will deliver sands via the lagoon’s channel

Beginning with Cardiff State Beach, approximately 300,000-cubic yards of sand will replenish the coastline. Sands will first be placed south of the lagoon’s inlet, its connection to the ocean. Sections will be filled as sand replenishment moves south along the coast.

The sand will be an approximate 20% sand and 80% water mixture. Sand will be gradually placed at about 8,000-cubic yards a day, or like the amount of two Olympic size pools. We’re pacing the replenishment so that these native sands integrate more naturally.

If you’re watching on the beach, there may be more of a wetland scent in the beginning of dredging, a different organic matter than the typical “ocean” scent we associate with our beaches. This is all temporary and will assimilate into the marine environment.

Why an overdredge pit? Following beach sand replenishment, water quality will be improved by removing and burying lagoon sediments in this overdredge pit that will ultimately be capped by sand.

As Reviving Your Wetlands—the San Elijo Lagoon Restoration project continues—there is a lot of visual activity going on. It’s often disruptive, yet we remember the bigger picture of a thriving wetland as we imagine the flow of healthy waters and an increase in wildlife diversity in this important stopover for birds along the Pacific Flyway. And, this important place for all of nature and community.

This coming summer, you’ll get to enjoy a broader beach for walking, running, sunning and sandcastle making.  

Reviving Your Wetlands, the San Elijo Lagoon Restoration is part of Build NCC; the first phase of construction of the North Coast Corridor Program and is funded through Transnet, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax.