Sunday, September 29, 2013

Half Moon Bay Highway 1 erosion is not going away


Half Moon Bay Review/Mark Noack, 9/27/13.  "Erosion danger spurs call to protect highway."

"Fearing erosion could soon threaten Highway 1, San Mateo County officials are urgently pushing for an emergency plan to buffer the coastline near Surfer’s Beach in the coming weeks.

The potential of Highway 1 washing out is still an emergency
....  Any project to protect the highway could face considerable challenges. Surfer’s Beach has gained the reputation as a notoriously difficult stretch for planning projects due to a hodgepodge of agencies that share jurisdiction. The city of Half Moon Bay, the county and Caltrans each control portions of the roadside and would need to give approvals. The riprap project could also need clearances from the San Mateo County Harbor District, the California Coastal Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

On the plus side, protection of the highway fit the bill to be classified as an emergency project, Horsley said. That would mean the planning process would be streamlined."    Read article.
 
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 Highway 1, Surfer's Beach south end of El Granada
RelatedSave the waves blog, 6/29/11."The search for solutions to erosion issues at Surfers Beach."  Efforts continue to find solutions to protect Surfer's Beach in Half Moon Bay, California. The construction of a breakwater to create the harbor in 1961 has exacerbated erosion rates by causing more sand to be deposited on the harbor side. Now only a thin strip of beach remains at Surfer’s Beach, limiting recreational uses of the beach, threatening habitat for the federally threatened western snowy plover, and eroding away the embankment of Highway 1".   Half Moon Bay Memorie & El Granada Observers/June Morrall, 6/26/0, a 1980 look back at the cliff erosion. 

Note photograph and map.  Surfer's Beach erosion by Brian Overfelt from "Save the waves" blog.   Google map from  Sea, Surf & Fun.com, Surfer's Beach parking location:  "...you see the restaurant "Sam's Chowder House", and eventually you see the hotel "Beach House" (always on your right). At the following light make a left turn, and immediately after make a left turn again to enter the parking lot 300 feet later. Once you have reached the parking lot the road is very close to the beach."  Or see Mapquest.

Posted by Kathy Meeh 

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is riprap the same as riff raff?

Pacifica has enough riff raff to block anything Mother Nature throws our way!

Kathy Meeh said...

Wikipedia. "Riprap, also known as rip rap, rip-rap, shot rock, rock armour or rubble, is rock or other material used to armor shorelines, streambeds, bridge abutments, pilings and other shoreline structures against scour, water or ice erosion.

It is made from a variety of rock types, commonly granite or limestone, and occasionally concrete rubble from building and paving demolition. It can be used on any waterway or water containment where there is potential for water erosion."

Anonymous said...

In the late 1960's, after the first stage of the breakwater was completed, there was still a parking lot on the west side of Highway 1(in addition to the existing RV park). Following the extension of the breakwater and several strong winter storms, severe erosion occurred and that parking lot basically was swallowed by the ocean. It has been theorized that the addition of rip rap along the shoreline only deflects the wave energy from a particular location and redirects that energy to cause erosion elsewhere. At some point, the current Highway 1 will likely be re-routed further to the east, providing a "temporary" reprieve from the ocean's continued onslaught. Whether that "reprieve" will last 10 years, 100 years, or more, will depend on the ferocity of future storms.

todd bray said...

Kathy, if you ever got out your door the area you picture is not SR1. Propaganda does not constitute information dear. However the ever more desperate moves by you and the Chamber are proving your dreams and wishes are just that... your dreams and wishes, no one else's.

Kathy Meeh said...

Not-so-dear Todd, SR1? Emergency repair of highway 1 at Surfer's Beach area? Read and view the article, and the related information. Got complaints, contact those sources. (You are also welcome to submit articles originated by you or others).

And thanks for including me among the more credible people who continue working to achieve economic balance and progress in this City. Terrific, you have a good day too!

Anonymous said...

Can't tell if that is surfers beach which is just south of the breakwater and rv parking lot.

At first I thought it was Moss Beach by the Moss Beach Distillery.

Anonymous said...

Todd

I thought you would be too busy building your soap box Derby contraption,to post.

Ever think of entering the red bull classic?

Anonymous said...

Surfers Beach is the beach just south of the Princeton Rock Jetty or breakwater. Next to the RV Parking place, or camping place.

Mavericks is around the corner by the Big Radar tower.

Mavericks is on the other side of the Jetty North of Princeton.

Kathy Meeh said...

2:14 PM okay, thanks for clearing-up any Surfer's Beach location confusion.

And, the 10:28 AM (9/29) comment may also be yours-- a good overview worth rereading.

Anonymous said...

There is so much sand inside the harbor, it is causing giant sand dunes to form where water used to be. On the ocean side there is too little sand, and the beach has eroded all the way to the highway. We need to put all that sand back where it belongs, to slow the way energy down so it doesnt slam against the cliffs even on a mid tide. Next big storm and high tide you can kiss HWY 1 goodbye. And Good riddance lets get something done.