The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District has begun its annual dredging of the Oceanside Harbor inlet in California.
According to the Corps, Manson Construction Company of Seattle is dredging the channel to its authorized federal depth of 20 feet. Dredging is expected to be completed prior to Memorial Day weekend.
About 250,000 cubic yards of beach-quality sand will be removed from the harbor’s entrance channel and placed along Oceanside’s beaches. The project’s local sponsor is the City of Oceanside.
The annual dredging project is conducted to maintain the federal channel within the harbor at its authorized federal depth and to provide safe navigation for recreational, commercial and military vessels that use it. Oceanside Harbor is one of four annual dredging projects conducted by the LA District.
Throughout year, the harbor inlet accumulates sand during storms and south swells. The sand buildup creates a shallow depth in the inlet and can result in breaking waves that are potentially hazardous to navigation.
The Corps and the City of Oceanside remind residents and visitors to use caution on the beach in and around the pipe and vehicles.