Harbor Dredging

Dredging at Channel Islands Harbor

“The Army Corps typically dredges every two years, and has done so for decades under legislation that authorized the small craft harbor and sand trap to be built in the early 1960s. The harbor was designed to trap sand to prevent loss to the submarine canyon off of Port Hueneme and to provide dredged material for beach replenishment for downcoast beaches. The replenishment provides vital shore protection for downcoast facilities, including the Naval installations at Port Hueneme and Point Mugu, the Port of Hueneme, the City of Port Hueneme and … Silver Strand beach.”

Source: Channel Islands Harbor

The following excerpt, from an article, published by the VC Star, in September of 2013, highlights the importance of doing a full dredge every two years:

“Erosion problems date back decades, to when construction at the deep-water Port of Hueneme disrupted the normal flow of sand. To make up the loss, the federal government agreed to pipe sand from a sand trap at Channel Islands Harbor to Hueneme Beach and down the coast every two years.

But with costs rising and funding scarce, less sand has made it to the beaches.

Port Hueneme officials have asked for a midcycle dredge but may not get more sand until the next scheduled replenishment in fall 2014. How far the erosion would reach by then is unknown.

Surfside I, a complex of 201 condos, sits across from the worst erosion near Surfside Drive and Market Street.

‘We are very, very concerned because we only have one way into the property,’ said homeowners association President Lynn Buck. That entrance sits off Surfside Drive directly across from the hardest-hit area of beach.

‘If we do get any storms, we're almost dead sure that we won't have access to it,’ Buck said.

If flooding closes it, the gated complex's exit would become an entrance, too. Buck said that would raise safety concerns. The complex also decided to put new landscaping on hold, waiting to see what winter storms bring.

Connie Bailey, manager of Surfside II, a housing association farther east, said a big worry is pier damage that storms and high tides might cause. As the beach erodes, the pilings are supported by less sand.

‘The pier is very important for us and the whole community,’ she said.

County supervisors and Oxnard Harbor District commissioners last week approved resolutions calling for full dredging and supporting efforts to protect Port Hueneme's shoreline.

‘The bottom line here is: This situation impacts all of us,’ said Kristin Decas, port executive director.”

Source: VC Star: Port Hueneme officials plan to stave off flooding

The dredging done in this year was only partially completed, and resulted in flooding and damage to the road that closed down Surfside Drive and affected residents of the Surfside I complex. View the photos below to see the extent of the damage caused by this partial dredging.