The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has achieved a significant milestone in its Coastal Storm Damage Reduction and Beach Replenishment Project with the successful completion of a two-month sand restoration effort in Solana Beach. The project, aimed at combating coastal erosion and enhancing beach space, will now be transitioning to the next phase in Encinitas, the San Diego Union Tribune reported.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers added 700,000 cubic yards of sand, nearly tripling the width of the shoreline. The project, which concluded ahead of schedule, has not only provided the community with expanded recreational opportunities but also bolstered public safety and protection of the bluffs.
As Solana Beach celebrates the project’s success, attention now shifts to Encinitas, where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is set to embark on the next phase. Over the next 60 days, an additional 340,000 cubic yards of sand will be added to the Encinitas shoreline, stretching from north of Swami’s Beach to south of Beacon’s Beach.
Despite potential delays posed by an abandoned sand replenishment project in San Clemente, the Army Corps decided to adhere to the original schedule. Encinitas residents can expect temporary closures and altered beach access points during the construction period.
The sand used in both Solana Beach and Encinitas is dredged offshore from a borrow site at the San Dieguito River mouth. This meticulous process involves pumping the sand onto the beach as a slurry mix of seawater and sand, addressing specific elevation requirements.
The Coastal Storm Damage Reduction and Beach Replenishment Project, spanning 50 years, continues to make strides in fortifying the California coastline against erosion. As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers progresses through its planned phases, communities can anticipate not only aesthetic enhancements but also increased resilience and safety along these shorelines.
