The "middle breakwater" is between Angels Gate (the entrance toward Port of L.A.) and Queens Gate (eastward entrance to Port of LB). A separate Long Beach breakwater section also extends eastward toward the Peninsula/Alamitos jetty. Photos below from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers show what the agency classifies as minor-to-moderate, moderate and significant damage to the middle portion of the breakwater. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Senior Public Affairs Specialist Greg Fuderer tells LBREPORT.com that the agency's investigation of damage to the middle breakwater is ongoing...and the agency expects to complete its walking inspection today (Sept. 4). "We are optimistic we will have a clearer understanding of the current situation by tomorrow, once evaluators have the opportunity to study the information/data obtained," Mr. Fuderer tells LBREPORT.com. "The next step is to develop a plan to repair the damage, which ranges from breach to significant damage to moderate damage to minor damage. The locations of the impacted areas will most likely affect the sequence and magnitude of work the Corps will conduct." he added...and said US Army Corps of Engineers coastal engineers are conducting the assessment and no other agencies are involved. LBREPORT.com remains uncertain if the damages extend eastward/southward toward the eastern (Peninsula) Long Beach end of the breakwater...where some have suggested reconfiguring that breakwater section to increase tidal flow for cleaner water and possibly restore some wave activity. As previously reported by LBREPORT.com, an unofficial source [whose initial report to us has proven accurate] said some estimates some of dislodged breakwater boulders are over 30,000 pounds [caveat: figure unconfirmed] and said the hurricane swell tossed some breakwater rocks around "like tiddlywinks." As previously reported by LBREPORT.com, at midday on Aug. 27, LBREPORT.com Community Correspondent Dan Halverson sent LIVE VIDEO from the Peninsula as he observed some offshore cargo ships turned to face on the oncoming surges stern-to-bow in a north/sound direction. Mr. Halverson also reported clearly seeing swells produce whitecaps as the sea struck the breakwater...and flowed over the top of the breakwater toward the shore. At midday Aug. 27, the Port of LB said two cargo terminals -- but not all terminals -- suspended vessel operations due to [PoLB text] "10- to 15-foot high wave surges powered by Pacific Hurricane Marie [which] endangered longshore workers. Total Terminals International on Pier T, with two Mediterranean Shipping Co. container ships at berth, and Crescent Terminals on Pier F, with two break-bulk ships including a MOL roll-on, roll-off vessel at berth, stopped working the ships late Tuesday." [PoLB text]...There was flooding reported at Crescent. All other terminals at the Port of Long Beach remain open for vessel operations, and trucking operations at all terminals, including at TTI and Crescent, are also continuing and unaffected by the wave surges... LBREPORT.com reader John Deats reported on Aug. 31 seeing some damage within the Port itself visible from the area of Pier F Ave. Mr. Deats says he saw rip-rap rock that lines Pier F Ave. moved some 20-40 feet into the water. The federal government built the breakwater in the 1940's, mainly to protect the U.S. Navy's once-major/now-former LB presence.. (We stop short of saying the breakwater damages are unprecedented but locals with whom we've spoken don't recall anything quite like this the structure's roughly 70 year history.) The Long Beach Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation has cited benefits in restoring waves to bring recreational and tourism benefits. "With the closure of the U.S. Navy base, the Long Beach breakwater has lost its original purpose. It’s time to get rid of the breakwater and bring back our beach community," its website says Public support gradually built and, amid some controversy, the Long Beach City Council several years ago voted to support (and commit a portion of Tidelands revenue) for a Corps of Engineers feasibility study into possibly reconfiguring part of the breakwater to increase tidal flow, cleanse local waters and possibly restore some waves...provided Port infrastructure and nearby homes remain protected. The feasibility study is currently stalled over issues including federal funding. Proposals to modify the breakwater have been warily watched, and in some cases opposed, by some Peninsula and Naples area homeowners. Prior to the breakwater, Long Beach had sizable waves. In the 1930's, the city hosted a surfing championship. With the arrival of hurricane Marie's Aug. 2014 swells, some locals cheered, shot video and brought surfboards to ride the modest breakwater attenuated waves as city crews scrambled to build sand berms and attach a plywood wall to the Peninsula boardwalk to keep the sea away from Peninsula residents' homes. In adjacent Seal Beach beyond the breakwater's reach, Hurricane Marie's swell combined with high tides to produce 15-20 foot waves...and sent the Pacific Ocean into some beachfront residences.
blog comments powered by Disqus
Contact us: mail@LBReport.com |
Need A Plumber, NOW? DrainPros Does It All; Click This Text To See Their Many Services AND Click Below To See Their Current Specials Click for VIDEO and see how Diversified Threat Management private security can help protect your neighborhood and your business. Affordable group rates available. Hardwood Floor Specialists Call (562) 422-2800 or (714) 836-7050 |
Contact us: mail@LBReport.com