The annual dredge of the Oceanside Harbor inlet is expected to begin in mid-April, according to the Army Corps.
Last week, USACE confirmed that April 3, 2023 is the target date to begin mobilizing for the Oceanside campaign with actual dredging operations commencing around April 12. The entire dredge cycle is anticipated to last 6 to 8 weeks.
Oceanside Harbor inlet is dredged annually by the Corps to ensure that vessels can navigate safely in and out of Oceanside Harbor and Camp Pendleton.
Throughout year, the inlet accumulates sand during storms and south swells. The sand buildup creates a shallow depth in the inlet and breaking waves that can limit navigation.
The sand dredged from the Harbor is pumped onto Oceanside beaches. The average amount of sand dredged from the inlet and placed onto the beaches is usually between 200,000 and 300,000 cubic yards.
This year, USACE estimates about 500,000 of sand will be placed on Oceanside beaches, which is much more than usual due to the storms that have built up more material in the Harbor inlet.