HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-05-20; City Council; 8617-1; Implementation of the Beach Erosion Committe Report'b
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AB# x& Ir7-+/ TITLE: DEP
MTG. 5/20/86 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITY
BEACH EROSION COMMITTEE REPORT DEPT. CM CITY
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
By motion, adopt recommendations directing staff and/or
Beach Erosion Committee to implement the proposals contai
in this Agenda Bill.
ITEM EXPLANATION
On May 6, 1986 the City Council heard the report by the Be
Erosion Committee which had been commissioned by the Coun
in September of 1985. By motion, the Council received
report, continued the existence of the Beach Erosion Commit
with its existing members and City staff, and requested st
to bring to the Council recommendations for implementation
the report. The following are the recommended actions,
extracted from the report:
1. City Council should substitute the existing Beach Eros
Committee for the permanent committee as outlined
Recommendation No. 3 of the report. Committee to meet
the direction of the BEACh representative, but not 1
than quarterly to review new developments in be
erosion, formulate strategies, and make suggestions to
applicable persons, agencies or powers. Said committee
be composed of no less than three (3) active members f
the community and two appropriate staff members.
2. The Beach Erosion Committee should be charged with
responsibility of researching the availability, co3J
work program of a professional consultant or firn
conduct a series of beach profile surveys yearly. Th
surveys should provide data necessary for general
public information projects, to determine where best
place sand nourishment and how, and as a source of c
for BEACh.
3. The Beach Erosion Committee should be charged with
task of obtaining possible existing data on the E
content of the middle and inner lagoons at Aqua Hedior
and furthermore to work in cooperation with SDG&E and
Army Corps of Engineers on the proposed project to dre
those lagoon areas. Such data will be useful in provic
recommendations on the placement of sand upon beaches.
4. The BEACh representative from the City Council shoulc
given support to continue in his/her efforts to orgar
the BEACh organization.
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ir, 4 Page 2 of Agenda Bill No. Jb/7-&/
5. And finally, the Beach Erosion Committee should be char!
with the responsibility to continue to monitor areas
interest to the City such as beach erosion fundj
sources, sand rights legislation, bluff protectj
projects, and seminar or convention participation on SI
topics as the Oceanside Littoral Cell, etc., and repr
such significant developments to the Council in a time
manner.
FISCAL IMPACT
None at the present time. However, the potential for futt
expenditures will be created by this Agenda Bill regard
beach profile surveys, sand coring samples, and possi
participation in conferences or seminars, either independen
or in conjunction with BEACh.
EXHIBIT
1. Agenda Bill No. 8617.
Note: If approved, the City Manager will assign Mike Brooks, Admini
Assistant in Engineering to work with the Committee. Chris Sa will also meet with the Committee to consider including this wor
the Redevelopment Program.
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Cl..e()OF CARLSBAD - AGENWBILL
AB# 8% 17 TITLE: DEP
CIT'r MTG. 5/6/86 BEACH EROSION COMMITTEE REPORT
DEPT. CM CIT'r
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
-
City Council to receive Final Report from the Beach E
Committee.
ITEM EXPLANATION
On August 27, 1985 the City Council appointed the Beach E
Committee, consisting of seven members to study beach erosj
the problems of the Carlsbad coast line. At that time, tt
Council charged the committee with delivering a report t
you on/or about six months later. The following scope (
was outlined:
1. To review prior studies, articles, and materials.
2. To obtain current irlput from available sources.
3. To enumerate, evaluate, and study the beach erosion pi
specific to Carlsbad's coast line.
4. To relate and coordinate the lagoon and coastal I
area.
5. To develop plausible solutions to mitigate the beach
problems and identify possible sources of funding.
6. To report these findings to the City Council.
The letter of transmittal and report with attachments atta
this agenda bill is the result of the Beach Erosion Comm
efforts over the past half-year and is presented forthw
your evaluation.
EXHIBITS
1. Letter of transmittal from Mario Monroy, Committee Ch,
dated March 28, 1986.
2. Carlsbad Beach Erasion Report
, EXHIBIT 1
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7
March 28, 1986
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Mario Monroy, Chairman
Beach Erosion Commmittee
CARLSBAD BEACH EROSION COMMITTEE REPORT
Attached is the Beach Erosion Committee Report which yo
authorized on August 27, 1985. The recommendations of th
report are summarized as follows:
1. The City of Carlsbad should continue to support the BEAC
Joint Powers Committee.
2. The City of Carlsbad should hire a consultant to conduct
yearly series of beach profile surveys.
3. The City of Carlsbad should establish a permanent Beac
Erosion Committee.
4. Through BEACh, the City Council should become direct1
involved in conducting necessary public information ar
education on beach erosion and its solutions.
5. The City Council should work through BEACh in tt
continued development of "sand rights".
6. The City Council, through BEACh, should lobby that befol
building permits are granted for dams in CaliPornia rivei
they be required to include plans for sand bypass ai
transport to the beaches as part of the architecturi
design.
7. The City Council, through BEACh, should sponsor region
conferences on coastal erosion.
8. The City Council should continue to protect the bluf
from erosion.
9. The City Council should finance coring of the Ag
Hedionda Lagoon to determine sand content for future bea
nourishment.
10. The City Council should adopt a policy that insures th
any beach quality material dredged from City lagoa
should be placed on beaches within the City only.
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City Council
Carlsbad Beach Erosion Committee Report March 28, 1986 Page: 2
11. The City Council should lobby through our electec
officials in Sacramento for recognition by the State Park:
and Recreation Department of added recreational value 01
Southern California beaches because of the warmer air anc water.
12. The City Council should pursue the formation of BEACh eve1
if all of the originally proposed members do noi
participate. The principles of BEACh are essential to thc
solutions to beach erosion.
MRM:lch
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CARLSBAD BEACH EROSION REPORT
March 18, 1986
As requested by the Carlsbad City Council on August 27, 1985
Beach Erosion Committee has reviewed previous studies
articles. The committee was very fortunate in getting exF
input from those listed below on their respective subjects:
Ron Flick Oceanographer for the California Departmeni
Boating and Waterways assigned to Scr
Institute of Oceanography - "Sea Level and
Effects on Beaches and Erosion."
Bill Fait State Department of Parks and Recreai
-Policies.
Dan Muslin Army Corps of Engineers - Projects the Cc
has worked on in Southern California.
Douglas Inman Director 9 Center for Coastal Studies, Scr
Institute of Oceanography - "History of C8
fornia Beaches."
W. G. Dyson SDG&E - Dredging Aqua Hedionda Lagoon
E. Aguardo Professor of Geography, San Diego S
University - Weather.
SUMMARY OF CURRENT INFORMATION
Beach erosion in the Oceanside Littoral Cell, which exte d
Dana Point to La Jolla (see Figure I), is well documented.
On a local basis the Federal Government has assumed respo
bility for funding mitigation of beach erosion at Oceans
This erosion was caused by the construction of the Del Mar
Basin on Camp Pendleton in 1942 (see Figure 2). The Del
jetties have interfered with the gross longshore transpor
about 810,000 cubic yards of sand per year to the south
during the winters and 550,000 to the northwest during
summer. While the general dynamics of sand movements
somewhat nunderstood, detailed studies of the Carlsbad bea
have not bee made. Even minor changes in the weather, tides
wave patterns can have significant effects on sand flow, mE
it almost impossible to determine what is happening in spec
areas.
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This interference with the natural course of sand flow has t
in addition to the construction of numerous flood control bas
and the persistent sand mining in the upstream beds of the
Luis Rey and Santa Margarita Rivers which greatly diminish
natural source of sand for the beach. The sand flow to
beaches from the San Luis Rey River has been diminished si
1922 by the construction of Lake Hensh$w dam and in the SE
Margarita River since 1949 by Vail Lake.
In the period between 1957 and 1961 the Federal Governn
further aggravated beach erosion to the south of the Del Mar r
Basin by the extension of the jetties and the construction of
jetties and groins for Oceanside Harbor. This construction
only created a larger sand trap but it also diverted the i
further offshore. These harbor jetties have interfered with
net southerly migration of about 260,000 cubic yards of sand
year in the Oceanside Littoral Cell. The Federal Government
not assumed responsibility for the effects of longshore :
transport south of Oceanside.
Over the past 25 years between 1957 and 1982, about 11 mil.
cubic yards of material has been dredged from Oceanside Hal
and placed on Oceanside beaches. However, this sand nourish1
program was not as effective as it could have been because
breakwater had a double effect. First it was trapping more :
north of the harbor and secondly the longshore transport CI
pick up sand in the newly nourished beaches south of
breakwater. This, to the benefit of Carlsbad's beaches, a
to further accelerate a transfer of the dredged sand to
south. All this, plus the fact that prior to 1978 there
minimal beach erosion because of relatively mild weather,
protected Carlsbad's beaches until then.
Carlsbad's beaches have begun to disappear more seriously du
their cycles,with the sand completely eroded during the storm
1983. In subsequent summers, sand deposition on Carlsbad bea
has been minimal.
Prior to 1978 - 1979 Carlsbad had beaches, at least in the n
end of the city, as wide as seventy or eighty feet.
thickness of the sand beach was seven feet at the foot of
bluff. Now there is no sand at high tide and a maximum thick
of sand of only three feet during the summer. (See Appendix A
The fact that Oceanside hasn't done any sand nourishment s
1982 may prolong the recovery period for the Carlsbad beac
Consequently, until Oceanside resumes a sand replenish
program the damage to Carlsbad beaches and bluffs by mild st
could be severe. At the present time, due to the lack of b
profile data, it is not known whether the sand is offshore a
the past to nourish the beaches naturally in the summer.
there is no sand offshore, which is likely because of a long
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deficiency in the supply of sand, Carlsbad's beaches will (
progressively narrower and narrower.
The City of Carlsbad is fortunate to have three lagoons (5
Appendix B), two of which could be used as a source for s;
replenishment of the Carlsbad beaches. They are all silting
and will need to be dredged. Currently plans are being develo
for dredging the Batiquitos Lagoon which could provide as much 2.5 million cubic yards of sand. This is enough to lay a blan
of sand 5.3 miles long, six feet deep and 400-feet wide. T
volume of sand may not be available for another thirty yea
However, to effectively utilize this volume of sand, be
profile data is needed to determine where to place it so as
best retain it (see Appendix C). Presently the feeling of
Scripps people who spoke to us, is that the beaches bec
progressively steeper to the south. If this is the case,
southern beaches are unlikely to retain sand for any length time,
Another source ,of sand, of course, is the Aqua Hedionda Lago
This consists of outer, inner and middle lagoons. The in
lagoon is east of 1-5 and the middle lagoon is between 1-5
the railroad trestle, The outer lagoon which is dred
periodically by SDG&E has furnished an average of 116,000 cu
yards of sand per year since 1955. It is estimated that
entire lagoon could provide at least 128,000 cubic yards of s
per year for beach nourishment. (This is about half of the
southward longshore transport of 260,000 cubic yards.)
The beaches of Carlsbad will also be replenished by the Ocean:
Sand Bypass, if effective. This bypass is an experimental sy~
in its development stages which will be monitored for five YE
by the Corps of Engineers. Therefore, this source of replenj
ment may take some time to affect Carlsbad beaches. The syst
if successful, will have the capacity to move 400,000 cubic YE
of sand per year. However, the sand replenishment coulc
delayed if Oceanside beaches have become too steep to retain
sand. This sand bypass is supposed to be operational in spring of 1986 at a cost to the Federal Government of 1
million.
If the Oceanside sand bypass is not effective it may be neces:
to build structures to retain sand and protect property, bli
and highyays. Studies for Oceanside by the U. S. Army Corp:
Enginee3s and by consultants Douglas L. Inman and Scott
Jenkins have considered various types of structures. SI
Table I. The review of these studies shows that, besides
sand bypass, serious consideration for protection of the beai
has been given only to groins and offshore breakwaters.
Inman-Jenkins study suggested a series of groins, some tempor while the Corps of Engineers favored an offshore breakwa
Based upon the similarities between Oceanside and Carlsba
combination of these types of structures could be a possibi
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for the protection of Carlsbad's beaches if sand nourishm
cannot be provided. In order to retain replenished sand,
possibility of installing such sand traps before be
replenishment should be considered.
Prof. Douglas L. Inman in his presentation and writings
indicated that sand is a natural resource just as water is.
points out that dams benefit populations and agriculture and h
coastal communities and beaches. Therefore "the cost
nourishing beaches with the sand intercepted by Sthe dams sho
be a legitimate part of the cost of using water."
There eppears to be nothing in the State Parks and Recreat policy that will prevent them from conducting beach restorat
projects. This agency recognizes the scenic value of
California beaches. However, their funding priority to rest
and protect the beaches does not reflect the fact that San Dj
state beaches also provide an extremely important recreat
facility because of the warm air and waters in this area. 1
policy has the highest impact on the youth and lower inc
population.
CONCLUSIONS
?. Sand on the beaches is the best protection against bi
erosion and property damage.
2. Protecting beaches and property solely by sand nourishmen
an expensive way to accomplish this because replenish1
must be renewed again and again to be effective.
3. Douglas L. Inman stated that there are only about fif
years of sand supply on the beaches north of the Ocean
Harbor for the sand bypass.
7 4. Review of the Corps of Engineers studies and manuals
shore protection show that offshore breakwaters can be
most cost effective way of protecting beaches from
action under the right conditions. However, offs
breakwaters by their nature will severely affect the s
interfere with boating and diving, and can be politic
unpopular, as Oceanside found out.
5. Although groins are effective in retaining sand
longshore littoral transport, they are not effective aga
sand losses from onshore-offshore sand movements. They
create dangerous riptides but seem to improve surfing.
are esthetically unattractive to the public and unsafe
children.
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6. The regional flood control system within the Oceanside L
toral Cell is blocking the natural transport of sand to
ocean. Sand mining of the rivers is further aggravating
shortage.
7. Because beach erosion is a regional problem, only a regio
political organization can stand up to the environment
legal and political challenges which can be made to effo
to protect the beaches.
8. Because beach restoration or protection requires very la
capital expenditures in addition to regular maintena
expense, the most effective way of lobbying for funds f
the various state and federal agencies (see Table 11) wc
be through a regional organization such as BEACh which
political clout.
9. In discussions with the State Parks and Recreation Dep:
ment, it becomes evident that funding to mitigate bt erosion is a low priority within this agency.
RECOHUENDATIONS
1. The City of Carlsbad should continue to support the Bt
Joint Powers Agreement and SANDAG's subcommittee on bc
erosion. Without the political clout of a regional appro; it is impossible to compete for a share of funding frc
fixed budget, whether state or federal.
2. The City of Carlsbad should hire a consultant to conduc
yearly series of beach profiles surveys (see Table
because:
a. Without data it is impossible to convince the public
agencies that there is a problem.
b. Funding such a survey would demonstrate to other agen
and to the public that the city recognizes the econ impact of erosion.
c. The profile data would help the city to determine w
best to place sand nourishment from the lagoons
determine the effectiveness of any nourishment projec
d. These survey results would be a source of valuable
for BEACh.
3. The City Council should establish a permanent Beach Ero
Committee consisting of no more than three citizens and
city staff, one from Engineering, and one from Buildir
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Planning. This committee should also serve as an advisor
the City Council's representative on BEACh.
4. Through BEACh, the City Council should become direcl
involved in conducting necessary public information :
education on beach erosion and its solutions.
5. The City Council should work through BEACh in the contin
development of "sand rights" under the Public Trust Law
restrict sand mining in coastal flood plains except for be
nourishment.
6. The City Council through BEACh should lobby for a change
building codes for dams in California rivers to require pl
for sand bypass and transport to the beaches as a condit
for issuance of a building permit.
7. The City Council through BEACh should sponsor regio
conferences on coastal erosion such as the one held in
Diego on February 6-8, 1985.
8. The City of Carlsbad should continue to protect the blL
from erosion by diverting storm drains away from both pub
and private beaches per its Master Storm Drain Plan.
9. The City Council should finance coring of the Aqua Hedia
inner and middle lagoons to determine their sand content
future beach nourishment.
10. The City Council should adopt a policy that ensures that
beach quality material dredged from City lagoons shoulc
placed on beaches within the City.
11. The City Council should lobby through our elected offic:
in Sacramento for recognition by the State Parks and Reci
tion Department that the warmer air and water of San D.
Coastal State beaches gives them an added recreational vi
not available in the north. At the present time there i:
funding for the restoration of southern public beact
Under their present funding priorities the Parks and Reci
tion Department is not carrying out its responsibilitie: the fullest. BEACh and SANDAG should support the Cit]
Carlsbad on this point.
12. The beach communities under the supervision of their res1
tive county and city governments and with guidance
appropriate state and local agencies from a joint commi
empowered to:
A. Superficially investigate the beach erosion problem
the Oceanside littoral cell.
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B. Engage the services of coastal process expe
(scientific, engi neering, legal and administrative)
that they may closely examine the problems and possi
solutions for the Oceanside lottoral cell.
7, &
kQ&U*I/ DAVID CASTEL
SALLY VIGIC GZiL2Q.e.-
PEARL E. JOHN80N
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TABLE I1
FINANCING EROSION CONTROL
I. STATE FUNDS
A. State Lands Commission
B. Department of Boating and Waterways
C. Department of Parks and Recreation
D. State Coastal Conservancy
E. Department of Fish and Game
11, FEDERAL FUNDS
A. United States Corps of Engineers
B. 99th Congress, 1st Session (Calendar No. 152) S 959
(Report No. 99-71) to amend the Coastal Zone Managem
Act of 1972 to provide authorization ou appropriatio
and for other purposes. Distribution of federal fun
coming to the state from offshore drilling.
C. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
0. Direct Congressional funding.
111. REGIONAL FINANCING ALTERNATIVES
A. Assessments
8. Fees
C. Taxes
D. Bonds
IV. CARLSBAD: Transient occupancy tax
V. UTILITY COMPANY - SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC
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TABLE 111
BEACH SAND LEVEL MEASiUREMENTS
Carlsbad, California
I. Six range lines (profiles) surveys
2. Data collection
a. Land Surveyors - every two months - to maximum wad
depths at low tide.
b. Offshore surveys on three of the land surveys to 40 f
depth every two months.
3. Estimated cost: $25,000 per year
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REFERENCES
1. Sea Cliffs, Beaches, and Coastal Valleys of San Diego Cour
by Gerald G. Kuhn and Francis P. Shepard, 1984.
2. Progress Report on Beach Erosion Control Study, San Dj
County, California in Vicinity of Oceanside by Los Ange
District U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, January 1977.
3. Oceanographic Report for Oceanside Beach Facilit
Prepared for the City of Oceanside by Douglas L. Inman
Scott A. Jenkins, 1983.
4. Putting the Beach Back at the Oceanside. A Case Stud)
Locally Initiated Beach Restoration, by Larry M. Bagley
Dana H. Whitson. Journal of the American Shore and 81
Preservation Association. Vol. 50, No. 4, October 1982.
5. Budget of Sediment in Southern California: River Disch
versus Cliff Erosion by Douglas L. Inman. Californ
Battered Coast. Proceedings from A Conference on Coa
Erosion, San Diego, February 6-8, 1985, pg. IO.
6. Beach Erosion - A Planning Perspective and Appendix Secre
for Resources Policy for Shoreline Erosion Protection. S
Parks and Recreation Department.
7. Shore Protection Manuals, Volumes I and 11, U. S. Army C
of Engineers, 1984.
8. Oceanographic Report for Community Facility District Beach Facilities for the City of Oceanside, Douglas
Inman, July 21, 1983.
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EVALUATION AND ENUMERATION OF CARLSBAD BEACH EROSION
by Sally Vigil
INTRODUCTION
This in an outline description of beaches and cliffs designa
as Areas A, 8, C, D and E on enclosed map. Also, note cha
citing deepwater direction and shore erosion from Santa Marqar
River to Aqua Hedionda Laqoon. Finally, only each area's uni
features pertinent t o erosion are described along with con
characteristics.
Common Characteristics -
Beach areas A, B, half of C, D and half or most of E lie at bi
of cliffs, popularly called The Bluffs. It all represents
Santiago formation with terrace deposits on top. They con1
hard, gray clayey material and much silt sandstone. teri
deposits are sand and cobbles. Silica sand and some mica noui
beaches from lagoons and few remaining bluffs not yet forti
by cement or rack.
I. Area A is privately owned to mean high t'de mark - a v legal setting unchanged since 1967. (?I> Four pu
accesses within six city blocks are city-owned
maintained by Parks and Recreation, under jurisdictioi
Carlsbad Police. Three accesss in addition are owned
maintained by California Coastal Conservancy or pri
property associations. All are heavily trafficked
tourists, residents of Carlsbad (both townspeople and t
living in beach structures as renters or owners)
representing general public. All beach areas suff
similar erosion problems plus cobbles, but Area A recov
faster in 1983 for these reasons:
A. Oceanside sand dredging replenishes Area A sooner.
El. South to north littoral drift works well since 1
although there is some dispute as to whet??? or
this has become variable since 1980.
controversy needs study.
C. Mild winter storm activity from 1983 until Nover
1985.
APPENDI:
e 0
e
?. Scripps predicts bad year as being 1987 and I
or two others into year 2000.
D. Experimental Longard Tube, financed by property ownr
to retain and build up sand, and rebuff waves in A
A, is now gone after two mild winters and two
storms.
1. Northern section had one huge tube, of infer
material, which was torn apart anyway very ea
after only one season of mild wave action.
a. Cobbles penetrated; it literally bur
after being observed tearing like rot
cloth.
2. Tubes at southern area are double, small, pig
back types which are successful in Australia,
3. It is a noticable buffer but does not withst
storms. Replacement necessary.
a. Lost insurance after first damage.
b. February 6, 1986 storm took all the rest.
E. Since Areas B, D and E are usually cobbled, Area A
more users of beaches.
1. No lifeguards, no consistent maintenance
supervisory authority other than police dul
summer.
11. Years from 1963 to 1986 have seen heavy level
construction of buildings, seawalls, rock revetment
accessways. This has revealed to engineers a ro
coaster type topography made up of hard-pan - a crust
hard material not quite bedrock, This may exp
variations in beach stability regarding construction
erosion on all areas. The following conclusions were c'
in 1980 when massive building occurred:
A. Sand is still the number one protection against b
and erosion threatening bluffs and property.
6. At least erosion due to small animal burrowing
solved by building.
C. Individual storm drains should be at street level,
APPEND1 J
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D. Cobbles hold sand but endanger property too.
E. Most suprising to engineers is the fact that otl
areas may not be at all like Area A nor like e pfyer. (Not all have been surveyed geologicall
1. Some bluff areas seem to be edrock but crum ( 44 when wet as in rain erosion.
2. Areas D, C and E are mostly sandstone with s
mica.
111. Storms of 1983 coincided with rare high wave action
occurring since, thus sand renewal. However, the six f drop in sand level is not really changed since late 1970
Storms of February, 1986 have not changed this view as
February 18, 1986.
A. Encouraging footnote is as follows: "Fut
astronornica component of extreme tides still w(
exceed those of 1982-83 by more than 0.06 -0,09M#
This can give room for hope plus incentive to ret1 as to remedies. Since in fifteen years there will
no more 290,000 cubic yards per year drifting 1 Oceanside to be lost in La Jolla Canyon and - Carl
Canyon, entrapment and recycling of dredged sanc
Aqua Hedionda must be a long term option and in
agreement with SDG&E.
IV. The top end of Area A is Buena Vista Laqoon.
A. No beach sand, just silt and fine sediment.
6. Water at weir is released once a year causing ero
at north end of Carlsbad beach called The Point.
1. The sand return by summer has been the bes
all beaches.
2. November and February storms of 1986 c;
breakdown of weir as water poured over
ocean. (See news picture.) Released sand st
be observed and monitored.
C. St. Malo development (north of lagoon and across
to Oceanside) has properly designed rock revet
according to Dr. Doug Inman.
APPEND1
a e
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1. Protects propety without (gyusing scouring
sand, thus negligible loss.
D. Inman suggestion: Original Scripps study of s
drift can continue or be reinstated while sand stor is pondered, especially that from Batiquitos Laqoon
1. The Point at Buena Vista outlet to the sea is
good spot since sand Flaced further north ta
longer to drift south and should be retained
recycled on a short term plan as suggested
opening pages dealing with short term and 1
term solutions as to erosion.
2. The Committee considers it a plus that sand nc of Power Company jetties gets trapped in F
Hedionda. Better use should be made of ii recycling at dredging period. As examplf
should be stored in berm on and against bluff:
(7) 3. Refer to Carpenteria Solution again.
a. Berms can be destroyed in one storm
consultation necessary.
AREA B
I. Carlsbad State Beach, a state owned public beach ,
called Tamarack, maintained by Parks and Recreation witi structures left on beach since 1980-83 storms. State p.
no remedial improvements even though replenishment of i
was fairly good summers 1983-84. In those summers, bc
was comparatively unused because of poor access and par1
limitations.
A. Beach 8 terminates at jetty at Aqua Hedionda and p
plant.
1. Lagoon used by power plant as cooling out
also is popular small boat and fishing area.
8. Sandy beach due to proximity to jetty at tim
dredging lies south of second jetty.
C. Third jetty is at sewage disposal just before Carl
Submarine Canyon.
APPENDIX
e 0
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1. No jetty is extended enough to trap sand.
2. C""Y$?) controversial as to whether enlarging
0. Committee agreed that cost of dredging could be E
not.
as cost of jetty extensions.
1. January dredging does not help sand retent
because of st@r)ms. Dredging no help witt-
south jetties.
2. Dredging could be done more often at right t.
in cooperation with City and State.
11. Power Plant interest in sandy beaches is absent.
A, On record as saying they do not want sand placed ni
of jetties, or even north OF Batiquitos Lagoon in
south-north return of sand enters lagoon.
B. Official tate lack of desire for Oceanside by-1 $9 P to work.
AREA C AND HALF OF D
I. Flats to bluffs to flats again describe the beaches, o
in part by private home owners at beach area ca
Terramar and Carlsbad State Beach also called S
Carlsbad and Ponto Beaches.
A. Sea cliffs with narrow, fragile beach, mo
sandstone.
1. Many cliff failures due to ground water.
blockfalls betweeen 1978-83.
2. At this writing all cobbles, no sand due
February 1986 storms, Some sand re
expected.
11. Area D shares state beach land with Area C and termir
at sewage disposal.
A. More cobbles and eroding bluffs.
APPENDI)
b (I) e
-
B. Some narrow flat areas with water from Encinas Cr
behind beach and bringing gravely material to beach
C. February 1986 saw little rain erosion on bluff area
AREA E
I. South Carlsbad State Beach, the "Largest cobble beach
Southern California". It is at the base of high cli fading down to the longest Carlsbad flat land beach cal
Ponto thence to the mouth of Batiquitos Lagoon. St
Parks and Recreation operate an R.V. park at the top bluffs. Storm drains severely gully bluff face and call
landslides in 1980 and 1983. Road closed in 1983 cobbles moved on shor(elD) Flat beach subject to flooc
from San Marcos Creek.
Finally, at this writing, all beaches are cobbles because
storms February 18, 1986.
APPENDIX
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m e
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Flick, Ron, seminar with Beach Erosion Committee, Oct. 1985.
2. Griggs, Savoy, Livinq With The California Coast, C
University Press, Durham, NC, 1985, p. 351.
2b. Kuhn, Gerald, Sea Cliffs, Beaches, Coastal Vallf
University-Press, Los Angeles, CAY p. 63.
3. Moffatt & Nichols, Engineers, Long Beach, CA, Mr. Dunhan . Property Owners Area A, July, 1983.
4. Willard, Syd, Parks and Recreation Dept., State Geolog
speech to Beach Erosion Conference, Santa Barbara,
October 3, 1985.
5. Flick, Ron, Journal Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean, Enc
Div., Amer. SOC. Civil Eng., 1984, to Carlsbad Commit'
Oct. 3, 1985.
6. Inman, Doug, Scripps Oceanography, seminar at Carl: Committee meeting, Nov. 7, 1985.
7. Kuhn, Gerald, Sea Cliffs, Beaches, Coastal Valleys, San D
County, University Press, Los Angeles, CA, p. 63.
8. Ulman, Dan, Corps of Engineers, to Committee meeting
1985.
9. Dyson, Bill, SDG&E to Erosion Committee, Dec. 12, 1985.
IO. Griggs, Savoy, Living With The California Coast,
University Press, Durham, NC, 1985, p. 351-53.
APPENDIX
COASTAL STORM[
AREAS
I B?ld.AT
STATE - SbGt
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u= - - -= - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - c_ -
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C A R L S B A D L A G 0 0 NI S
SOURCE OF BEACH SAND REPLENISHMENT
by John Gray
IMPACT ON BEACH EROSION
During most of the past 6,000 years, Carlsbad's lagoons deliv
sand to the beaches. During the past two hundred years, howe
Western Civilization has been interfering with this delive
This condition is not peculiar to Carlsbd, though.
throughout Southern California, beach materials are being trai
by 311 water supply lakes and flood fjontrol reservoirs anc
additional 77 sand and gravel quarries.
DESCRIPTION OF CARLSBAD'S LAGOONS.
Carlsbad's three lagoons are, from north to South, Buena Vi
Aqua Hedionda, and Batiquitos. All three of them are bridge1
U.S. Highway 101, the railroad track, (and Interstate-5.
Buena Vista Lagoon lies between Carlsbad and Oceanside. The
limits are a zigzag line which gives the southern half of
lagoon to Carlsbad. The entire lagooii is included in the
Maxton Brown Bird Sanctuary. The watercshed of Buena Vista La
consists of about 19 square miles within the cities of Vi
Oceanside, and Carlsbad. Its principal source of water is E
Vista Creek, rising in Vista. The lagolon is fresh water, kep
by a fixed weir at the mouth of the lagoon. From the wei
Jefferson Street on th? east, it is about 1.4 miles long,
about 1/35 mile across. Buena Vista Lagoon includes about
acres controlled by the California Department of Fish
Game.
Aqua Hedionda Lagoon extends 1.7 miles inland and is about
mile wide. It comprises about 230 acres of open salt w t r
about 200 acres of salt marsh, mud flats, and salt flats.
is kept open to the sea by tidal action and periodic dredgin
the outer lagoon by the San Diego Gas and Electric Con
(SDG&E). Its principal source of fresh water is Aqua Hedj
Creek, which drains a watershed from Vista, San Marcos, Calz
Lake, and county lands to the south.
Batiquitos Lagoon extends about 2-1/2 miles inland from the (
to Camino Real. It is about 1/2 mile wide. Its drainage t
includes San Marcos Lake, San Marcos Creek, and Encinitas Crc
B
%%
APPENDI)
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The lagoon is only opened to the sea by bulldozing the berm
its entrance when storm runoff threatens the sewage pump
station there. Much of the lagoon's 526 acres are dry salt fl
most of the year.
PERTINENT HISTORY
Most of the following was extracted from the qummary of the Bu
Vista Lagoon watershed sediment control plan.
During the Pleistocene Epoch, Carlsbad's lagoons were r:
valleys, draining into the sea. At the end of the Ice Age :
6,000 years ago, the ocean rose and flooded saltwater into tt
river valleys. The river bottoms were covered with teri
deposits--sand and gravel and silt whic:h had come down from
watersheds. Such erosion continues up t.o this day.
During summer months, a berm might be built up blocking the r.
mouths, but during the rainy season, flood waters would bi
through the berm, carrying sand and gravel to the beaches. Uf
the advent of civilization the watersheds were protected
vegetation, and the erosion of the hills was minimized.
About 200 years ago, Western Civilization came to Califorr
Herds of grazing animals reduced the vegetation on the hillsic
Then farmers cultivated the slopes and further denuded t'
Then developers graded the slopes and highways were coverec
mud slicks as rainstorms washed away the unprotected soil.
stage of urbanization caused more erosion of the watersheds
deposited more sand, gravel, and silt in the lagoons wl
sedimentation could occur in the calm hlater. The lagoons si
UP.
When the developers built homes and paved streets in
subdivisions the erosion process changed. There was not so
sand and gravel to wash down into the lagoons, but the water
a higher velocity as it ran down the gutters. So it eroded
remaining stream beds. Their mud, silt, clay, sand, and gr
was carried into the lagoons where siltation continued to occ
Across the lagoons, roadbeds were built for the railroad,
Highway 101, and for Interstate-5. Buena Vista Lagoon
another barrier at its east end carrying Jefferson Street. T
obstructions restricted the flow into the ocean, and the q
water allowed even more silt to settle lout in the lagoons.
Buena Vista Lagoon had a weir installed across its mouth in 1
This kept the ocean out until 1969 when a flood washed out
weir. It was rebuilt in 1970 and Buena Vista Lagoon becamc
APPENDIX
> 0 0
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freshwater lake, except for sewage which was dumped into
regularly until 1960 and spilked into it sporadically ever sin
Buena Vista Lagoon silted up.
The San Diego Gas and Electric company bought Aqua Hedio
Lagoon, and commenced dredging it in 1952. Most of the follow
information has been extracted from the U.?% Army Corps
Engineers "Appraisal Report for Aqua Hedionda".
By 1954 the outer lagoon had been dredged to a depth of ten f
and a tidal prism flowed through it to provide clear ocean wa
to cool the condensers of the Encina Thermal Power Plant. T
dredging produced about 4,278,000 cubic yards of sand initial
1,024,000 yards from the outer lagoon and 3,254,000 cubic ya
from the middle and inner lagoons. This sand was dumped on
beach. An inlet and an outlet further south, both protected
short twin jetties, provide circulation for the tidal prj
Nevertheless, SOGdtE has to c&edge the sand bar from the 01
lagoon about every two years.
Most of the foliojwing was extracted from the Batiquitos Lac Enhancement Plan, In recent years, Batiquitos Lagoon has t
mostly salt flats. It was open naturally most of the time ur
the mid-'601s. Since then, it has been opened with a bulldc
occasionally to let the stagnant waters out and thus ai
flooding the sewage booster plant on the south side. The boi
of Batiquitos Lagoon is covered with flLivial material, mostly
sand and gravel, topped with a thin layer of clay and s
Sedimentation of Batiquitos Lagoon increased rapidly as La C
and the San Marcos valley were subdivided.
LAGOONS AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF BEACH SAND. -
If Carlsbad's beaches are to be replenished to combat b
erosion, they should be nourished periodically. The lagoons
provide a handy and continuing source of sand, if they
dredged periodically.
Unfortunately, not all the sand in the lagoons is usable on
beach.If the sand is too light, the ocean will float it awa
Silt or clay-sized materials won't stick on the bea
Generally, an upper layer of silt, composed of clayey shales
mudstones, will have to be disposed of before the sand useabl
beaches can be dredged out. Most often such silt is used
landfills, such as in the area just east of Jefferson Stree
the former Buena Vista Lagoon. Again unfortunately, such cla
not a stable platform for heavy construction.
APPENDI)
L > 0 0
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From Buena Vista Lagoon, it would be possible to dredge f
10,000 to 100,000 tons of sediment per year, but only 5% to
of that would be sand suitable for beach nourishment.
A weight test on Aqua Hedionda sand indicated a cubic yard wo
weigh 2,565 pounds, or 1.3 tons. The maximum annual sand prod
tion of Buena Vista Lagoon would be 2041 x 100,000 tons + 1.
15,385 cubic yards of sand. The minimum annual sand product
would be 5% x 10,000 tons + 1.3 = 385 cubic yards.
Whether it produces only 385 cubic yards or 15,385 cubic yards
sand per year, something must be done perjodically to prevent
Buena Vista Lagoon from silting up again.
Aqua Hedionda Lagoon consists of outer, middle, and ir
lagoons. No information is available on the contents of
middle lagoon, between 1-5 and the railroad trestle. The o(
lagoon is dredged periodically by SDG&E to ensure a good flor
clear water through the plant's cooling system. The sand
consists of "flour sand" which is discharged directly onto
beaches south of the inlet jetties where it sticks until si
waves carry it away. Because Aqua Hedionda is drec
periodically to a depth of about 16 feet, tbe sediment is all
all ocean sand and not mixed with silt. The outer lac
provided an average q& 115,575 cubic yards of sand per ;
between 1955 and 1972.
The inner Aqua Hedionda Lagoon is that portion east of 1-5
sand bar consisting of about 30,000 cubic yards of sediment
formed at the west end of the lagoon. How much of this useable beach sand and how much is land-fill mud is unkn
This rpgterial 'is deposited at the rate of 13,000 cubic yards
year.
In summary, Aqua Hedionda Lagoon has available for initial b
replenishment some 30,000 cubic yards of material plus
undetermined materials around the periphery of the inner lag
plus the undetermined materials of the middle lagoon sand
For annual beach maintenance it could provide 115,000 cubic y
from the outer lagoon, 13,000 cubic yards from the inner lag
and an unestimated quantity of beach sand from the middle la - more than 128,000 cubic yards per year.
Depending upon which lagoon enhancement plan is selected, E
quitos Lagoon could provide an initial 3,400,000 cubic yard
beach sand after the removal of some 5Ei1,OOO cubic yards of
silt which should go into landfill. Thereafter, the prop
sediment basin at the east end could provide about 1,000 c
yards of beach sand per year. If the tidal prism metho
keeping Batiquitos Lagoon is used successfully, there would
APPENDI)
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little or no s nd available for beach replenishment from the r
of the lagoon.
In short, the total maximum estimated capability of Carlsba
lagoons to nourish Carlsbad's beachhes averages, per year:
Buena Vista 15,385 cubic yards per year
Agua Hedionda 128,000 cubic yards per year
Batiquitos 1,000 cubic yards per year
3
SAND DISPOSAL SITES
The net annual movement of sand along Carlsbad's beaches is 1
north to south at the rate of about 280,000 cubic yards per YE
It, therefore, seems logical to deposit beach replenishment :
at the north end in order to obtain the full use of it as
migrates south toward La Jolla Canyon.
To transport sand to Carlsbad's side of the Buena Vista weir 1
the proposed siltation basins at the east end of Batiqui
Lagoon is a trip of 9 or 10 miles by highway. A hydraulic p:
line would probably follow about the same route. SDG&E woulc
reluctant to pump dredge spoil from Aqua1 Hedionda Lagoon nortt
the entrance jetties, since it is probable that sand north of
jetties drifts into the entrance channel and forms the sand
just inside the lagoon.
For these reasons, it seems logical t.o deposit sand from
lagoons on the beaches nearest them. This would be I
economical in terms of transportation costs, and would also c
fewer ecological and other environmental disruptions
objections. Therefore, Buena Vista sand should be depositec
Carlsbad's northernmost beach; Agua Hedionda sand should
deposited on the beach south of the inlet jetties, and Batiqu
sand could be carried perhaps as far north as Ponto.
Since the City of Carlsbad owns none of these beaches, permis
to replenish them would involve negotiations with a number
regulatory agencies, and include also the property owners wI
beaches would be affected.
TRANSPORTATION OF SAND
The two most common methods of transporting sand from lagoo
beach are trucking and hydraulic piping. It is also possible
course, to pile it near the source.
APPENDIX
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In the case of Buena Vista, if the sand were to be deposited
Carlsbad's northern beach, a pipeline would probably be mi
appropriate. Similarly, the existing hydraulic pipeline would
appropriate to move sand from Aqua Hedionda to the nea
beaches. The huge initial volume OF sand from Batiqui
enhancement plans would probably be most easily and cheaply mo
by pipeline. The small annual increments predicted from
eastern end of Batiquitos might be stored and then moved
truck.
The dredge used by SDG&E can be disassembled and installed in
of Carlsbad's lagoons. SDG&E is considering leasing it dur
the long intervals when it is not needed to clear the channel
Aqua Hedionda. Other, smaller dredges are available for close
work near the bridges. They would probably need booster pumps
the sand is to be transported any great distance. The SD
dredge can be used as a booster to move fluidized sand for at
two miles. a
COSTS OF SAND
The consensus of opinions is that it costs around $4/cubic ;
to move sand by hydraulic dredge, and if a booster pump is net
to increase the distance of transport, additional costs
incurred. Some of that expense can be offset by selling
sand,,$ich has been estimated to be worth about $2.50 per c
yard. There remains the problem of determining who owns
sand, and who wants it?
FUNDING BEACH NOURISHMENT
Beach replenishment is an expensive proposition. Some source
funds, guch as federal grants, are expected to dry up in the
future. Although the Corps of Engineers has funds for proj
which are restorations of former conditions, Carlsbad's bea
may not meet that criterion; historically, they have been na
and cobbled.
State funds come through various agencies, but the Parks
Recreation Department is generally 0ppo:jed to impeding the co
of nature, so they might offer significant opposition
replenishing Carlsbad's beaches, most of which come under t
jurisdiction.
The newest regional consortium, BEACh, may in the future pro
some funding, but lagoon manipulation might be considered a 3 problem not sufficiently rewarding to the entire Ocear
littoral cell.
APPEND11
it 9 0 0
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Because Carlsbad City owns no beach, it will be difficult
overcome taxpayer resistance to spending city funds to rest
beaches. If the city were to attempt funding, two aven
suggest significant possibilities. Formation of a Commun
Facilities District such as was contemplated for Oceanside wo
provide varying.,+ax rates depending on the distaq5e of prope
from the beach. The Sand Rights legal doctrine could ena
the City to obtain or sell lagoon sa17d. Finally, beachfr
property owners might be required to finance their own be
nourishement.
ENVIRONMENTAL C-ONSIDERATIONS
The "natural" historical condition of these lagoons--bef
Western Man interfered with them--was as river mouths empty
into the sea during winter rains and floods. Often they b
brackish marshes when a sand berm built up blocking the r:
mouth during summertime and dry periods. The rivers then
freshwater flora and fauna.
Buena Vista Lagoon has been restored to a brackish, freshw:
habitat; the other two have not. The question arises, what
the proper condition of these lagoons? Pre-historic, fi
flowing fresh water? Free-flowing tidal prism ocean estuary? t he i r lrc u r r en t 'I con d it ion?
"Current" conditions include riparian eastern ends, fresh w
marsh, salt water marsh, mud flats, saltwater sports areas, a tidal prism channel.
The biological resources of a "restored" lagoon14are describe1
the appraisal report for Aqua Hedionda Lagoon . They inc
pickleweed, various indigenous plants on the banks, and eelg underwater. They include some 55 species of water birds an(
species of land birds, including some rare or endangered spec
44 species of fish, untold species of clams and other underw
invertebrates, and some cultural resources in archaeolog
sites.
Impacting on this ecological communit.y are human activit
including water sports and industrial use of the water.
In his presentation "Are Estuaries Really Necessary?", Ogl
commented in 1973:
"All the food organisms that man takes from estuari are dependent upon the integrity of the salt marsh--
grass mudflat system, known as the DETRITUS FOOD Ct
Disruption of the detritus food chain will diminish
APPENDI)
1 (r b 0 0
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fisheries dependent upon estuaries .. . once wetlands
tidal flats are destroyed, they can be regained only
great expense." 12
ENVIRONMENTALIST REACTIONS
Envrionmentalist rections to any propclsed modification of
status quo can be expected to be varied and intense. The gro
will not always focus on the same perceived problem, nor k
their positions always be complementary.
The California Coastal Commission in 1981 adopted a "Stater
interpretive guideline for wetlands and other wet environment:
sensitive habitat areas." This requires an exhaustive effort
determine the answers to pertinent questions, and2 to pro1
remedial answers to unsatisfactory perceived results.
The Batiquitos Lagoon Enhancement Plan of 1~85~ includes a 1
sequential list of steps necessary in the formulation
execution of a modification to a lagoon. It cites the agent
from whom agreement and/or permits are necessary before a I
can be implemented.
The plan also suggests sources of funds for lagoon modificatic
As was evident in the Batiquitos Lagoon hearings, after all
necessary criteria have been met, there will still be
challenges to the results. An EIR will not quiet
environmental uproar.
OTHER INLAND SOURCES OF SAND
Since the rivers have been dammed, sediment has been accumula
behind the dams. According to Dr. Douglas Inman, the statc
the art now can enable the removal of this sediment and
transport downstream. This sediment is the same sand and gr
which used to be discharged onto the beaches by the rivers.
the sandpiles below the dams, trucks could haul the sand
Carlsbad. The approximate mileage from various dams to Carl
is:
Calavera Lake 6
Lake San Marcos 11
Dixon Lake 21
Lake Wohlford 23 Lake Sutherland 41
Lake Henshaw 47
Lake Hodges 18
APPENDIX
, I* , Io *
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Flood control basins are another inland source of be
materials. These catchments fill up with sand and gravel
have to be cleaned out. In Los Angeles County, the Engin
trucks this siltation to county beaches, where the ocean conve
it to beach sand.
R E C 0 M ME,N D A T I 0 N S
1. The sediment in Carlsbad's lagoons should be used to corn
erosion on Carlsbad's beaches.
2. By programmed, selective removal of lagoon siltation,
broad beach could be established and thereafter nouris
periodically from the lagoons.
3. While providing beach nourishment, lagoons could be modif
to meet popular demands ranging from "natural" conditi
to water-sports/picnic areas.
4. A planned program should be initiated to continue
maintenance of the lagoons and the replenishment of
beaches in the future.
5. Funding for lagoon/beach enhancement should be sought f
agencies outside Carlsbad. It is unlikely that reside
could be persuaded to support the expensive, long-ra
program.
6. A permanent commission should be formed to oversee
beach/lagoon enhancement program. It should be broad-bas
including' residents, merchants, hoteliers, enginee financiers, sportsmen,and environmentalists.
APPENDIX
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- (C, e e
REFERENCES
1. Applegate, J. & ASSOC., & Williams, P. & Assoc. 1985. Bu
Vista Lagoon Watershed Sediment Ca'ntrol Plan. (Califor
State Coastal Conservancy).
2. California Coastal Commission. 1981. Statewide Interpret
Guideline For Wetlands and Ottier Wet Environmenta
Sensitive Habitat Areas,
3. California State Coastal Conservancy. 1985. Batiqui
Lagoon Enhancement Plan.
4. City of Carlsbad Planning Department. 1976. Dr
Environmental Impact Report. Aqua Hedionda Lagoon Speci
Plan.
5. City of Carlsbad. 1976. Aqua Hedionda Specific Plan.
6. City of Carlsbad. 1980. EIR for Buena Vista Desiltation.
7. City of Carlsbad. 1982. Aqua Hedionda Land Use Plan.
8. Dyson, Bill. 1985. Comments during dredge tour, Nov.
1985. (Dyson is Project Officer far SDG&E dredging).
9. Griggs, G., & Savoy, L., Editors. 1985. Living With
California Coast.
10. Komar, P.D. 1976. Beach Processes and Sedimentation..
11. Noble, R. 1985(?). Community Facilities District for 61
Facilities, Oceanside Pier. (Cost Estimates).
12. Oglesby, L.C. 1973. Are Estuaries Really Necessary?
13. Stone, K.E., & Kaufman, 6. 1985. Sand Rights. A 11
System to Protect "The Shores of the Sea".
14, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1985. Appraisal Report
Aqua Hedionda Lagoon. Carlsbad, California.
APPEND1 X
' 4- * e e
t
2/20/
Carls
Dear Mario:
This will serve as my input to the Carlsbad Beach Erosion Comm
tee report to the Carlsbad City Council. It is not intended t
this be a stand alone document, rather that it be incorpora
into the committee's final report. It may, however, be inclu
as an appendix.
The following paragraph will summarize my recommendations to
committee:
A. The beach communities along the Oceanside littoral CE
under the supervision of their respective city and COL
governments and with guidance from appropriate st
agencies, from a joint committee empowered to:
1. Superficially investigate the beach erosion problem:
the Oceanside littoral cell.
2. Identify sources of funds available for dealing v
beach erosion problems.
3. Using funds available from No. 2, engage the service:
coastal processes experts (science, engineering, le5
so that they may closely examine the problems
possible solutions (if any) of the Oceanside cell.
4. Submit the conclusion and recommendation of the at
consultants to the resp&ive city and county governme
for appropriate follow up action.
8. Short term action:
I. The City of Carlsbad independently, or in conjunci
with the state or other neighboring communities, unc
take a program of beach profile surveying. This dat,
essential to any long term stucly.
2. The City of Carlsbad retain the services of a coal
processes expert to advise the City on the distribu
of lagoon dredging materials along the Carlsbad coas'
APPE
a**, e I)
If any of the above recommendations will be considered by
City, then the committee will have made a major contributior
understanding the processes that influence the beach behac
along the Oceanside littoral cell.
The problems and difficulties experienced by the City of CarlE
beaches have been adequately described in reports the Commit
has amassed throughout its tenure. In addition, nume1 speakers have discussed the phenomenon responsible for
present state of this fragile land-sea interface. Since t
information will be presented in the appendix, it will not
repeated here. It is interesting to note, however, that
accumulated evidence points to man's interference with natuI
processes as the cause of the semi-permanent state of denL
beaches that we' witness today.
The problems of the coast line along the Carlsbad City beac
are- the problems of the Oceanside littoral cell. These probl
are shared by the communities to the north and south of Carlst
It is the consensus of many experts in the field of coat
studies and civil engineering in the oceans that technical
administratively and operationallly these problems must
considered in the context of the activities of the whole CF
Proposed solutions, which may or may not benefit one area,
more than likely to effect beach responses in neigh-boring zor
There is ample evidence that a piece-meal approach
compartmentalized solutions will eventually have detrimer
results on the problem as a whole. The committee report n
emphasize the fact that from a technical, functional and ope
tional aspect the problems of the cell are shared by all the c
communities. Unilaterial solutions by individual entities v
likely act to exacerbate the existing problems. This has t
demonstrated on both a macro scale where individual be
property owners have acted to protect their investment to
detriment of their fellow property owners and on a global sc
where projects undertaken by one city have deprived the next c
of the natural sediment replenishment process.
If the problems off the Oceanside cell are to be solved by
cell communities, it is essential that these communities t
together to form a cohesive political body. It is only thrc
this kind of political unity that sufficient resources ma)
brought to bear on the issue. Emphasis on this approach ma)
the greatest contribution this committee may make to the I
Council. A logical progression may involve the following step
A. Form a consortium of coastal communities effected by the c
(such as BEACh).
APPE
** *s e Q
B. This body appoint, engage or hire a yroup of beach proc
experts to conduct a long term comprehensive study into
problems and possible solutions of the Oceanside litto cell,
These consultants should have a proven track record and sho
involve professionals from the academic and engineering fie
To be successful, these individuals must be provided with cl
and definite objectives. Their recommendations should
returned within a reasonable time frame. It must be recogniz
however, that there is a distinct possibility that there exi no economically feasible or practical solution to the be
erosion problems as we now perceive them.
There are two other near term issues which must be addressed.
determine the scope and magnitude of the beach problems inves
gators must have a comprehensive data base. This is a necessary for determining the effectiveness of any implemer
solution. Unfortunately, there is very little data wt
describes beach behavior along the cell. The situation, b
respect to wave climate, is somewhat better but could st
improvement. It is strongly reecommended that the (
immediately embark upon a program of surveying the local be
profiles.
The issue of lagoon dredged sediment distribution must
resolved. It is recommended that the City of Carlsbad imme ately engage the services of coastal experts so that they
determine the spacial and temporal distribution of this SF material. This is not a large or complicated task and coulc
completed in short order.
DAVE CASTEL
DC:lch
APPE