Sand Management in Newport Beach Underway

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — You may have noticed a large backhoe digging a temporary beach trench in West Newport. This is part of the Lower Santa Ana River Sand Management Project. Newport Beach Lifeguards remind all to "use caution around equipment and pipe in west Newport Beach for the Santa Ana River flood control project.

That large, blue pipe you see in West Newport will ultimately bring more sand to the shore according to the Orange County Public Works sand management project website.

"Sand management, or dredging, is a method of flood prevention," Orange County Public Works stated on their website. "Sand accumulates due to both rain events occurring upstream and to tidal flow at the mouth of the river."

In major rainstorms or tidal activity, the channel needs its full capacity to minimize the risk of flooding in the surrounding areas, including homes and businesses.

"Clearing the channel allows excess water to flow naturally between the channel and the ocean," OC Public works continued. "The sand removed from the river channel is filtered and then used for beach replenishment."

The beach sand naturally erodes as waves drag sand out to the ocean.

"The river sand is restored to the beach below the surf line, using near shore pipelines," they said.

The last time that sand management was conducted in this area was in 2004. Whether or not this process will need to be repeated depends on weather and future climate conditions, according to OC Public Works.

CJW Construction, Inc. was hired by the County of Orange to manage and perform the sand management activities. The County is overseeing the project.

Friday's backhoe in West Newport is just part of the "visual impact" of the project. Beaches will remain open except during temporary spot closures. Residents should keep away from equipment.

Photo courtesy Newport Beach Lifeguards, Surfline