A proposal for making beaches wider and creating new waves in Pacifica
In November 2023, The New Yorker magazine put the shoreline of Pacifica, California, on the national map. The article described the pros and cons of seawalls in coping with sea level rise.
It said that the oldest known seawall was built about 7,000 years ago. You can still see it if you have a snorkel.
Archeologists concluded that the discovery was "ominously relevant."
Seventy-two percent of California's 1,100-mile coastline consists of actively eroding sea cliffs.
We believe that Pacifica's current effort to cope with the rising sea level offers a great opportunity to pioneer a better, and potentially less expensive, way to coexist with the 70 percent of our planet, which is the ocean.
About ten years ago, the prestigious Oxford University in England created a whole new department dedicated to getting the government to stop making the same mistakes.
We offer these ideas, none of them truly new, to the City of Pacifica, the Federal Government, and all the appropriate agencies and authorities.
We believe that we can widen the beach, reduce wave damage, and slow down shoreline erosion.
We also think we can create fish habitat and even help kelp.
California Is Under Pressure
At the same time, our not-so-hidden agenda is to shape a new contest-quality surfing wave that will contribute to the local economy and be enjoyed by some of the 2.8 million California surfers.
Surveys have repeatedly shown that beaches are by far the most popular US tourist destination.
There are about 3.4 billion visits to US beaches annually. This is an enormous number of visits.
It's more than 225 percent times greater than the combined annual attendance at all National Park properties from the Washington Monument to the Grand Canyon, state parks, all amusement-park attractions such as Disney World, all professional and collegiate football, basketball, and baseball games, cruises, and events of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).
Beach tourists spend $240 billion annually, more than the value of all crops grown in America or oil exported by Saudi Arabia.
They generate an economic output of $520 billion.
If a community wants to maximize its beach economy, it needs to also support the infrastructure needed to accommodate all that additional usage.
We are advocating the construction of a multipurpose barrier reef that, when combined with initial sand nourishment, will help retain that sand and achieve the above-mentioned benefits and locally delay the need to consider more impactful strategies like managed retreat.
California's Ocean Protection Council 2024 annual report concluded, "California must take bold and swift action to protect nature and coastal communities from the impacts of sea level rise."
We agree. Bold, swift action is exactly what we are proposing.
Who Are We?
Bob Battalio
Bob Battalio is a former chief engineer, vice president, and coastal zone engineering and management team leader at Environmental Science Associates (ESA).
He served as president of the California Shore and Beach Preservation Association and is a Joe Johnson Outstanding Service Award recipient (2023).
Battalio is also a member of the Surfrider Foundation and a former president of the California Marine Parks and Harbors Association.
He has resided in Pacifica for 35 years.
Robert Caughlan
Rob "Birdlegs" Caughlan is a former White House advisor for President Jimmy Carter and special assistant to the US Environmental Protection Agency administrator.
He was the first president of the Surfrider Foundation and field representative for Assemblyman Leo Ryan.
Caughlan was Dianne Feinstein's first campaign writer.
George Domurat
George Domurat is a board commissioner of San Mateo County Harbor District, a former planning commissioner of the City of Pacifica, and a former California Shore and Beach Preservation Association president.
He served as vice president of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.
Domurat retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) after 42 years in oceanography, coastal engineering, coastal planning, port and harbor engineering, and dredge material management.
He has been living in Pacifica for 43 years.
Brian Gerrity
Brian Gerrity is a project manager overseeing coastal and maritime development projects and a coastal management doctoral candidate.
Tom Kendall
Tom Kendall is a former director of the California Shore and Beach Preservation Association and a former American Shore and Beach Preservation Association treasurer.
He was named American Society of Civil Engineers Government Engineer of the Year in 2009 and received the US Army Corps of Engineers Coastal Working Group "Long Wave" Award in 2023.
He has lived in Pacifica for 35 years.
Introduction
Coastal regions around the world face significant challenges due to rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, and coastal erosion.
Traditional methods of coastal protection, such as seawalls and breakwaters, often come with environmental drawbacks and can be costly to maintain.
As a result, there is growing interest in nature-based solutions that not only protect coastlines but also enhance the local ecosystem and provide recreational opportunities.
One such innovative approach is the implementation of multi-purpose reefs with beach nourishment, commonly referred to as the Reef + Sand concept.
What Are Multi-Purpose Reefs?
Multi-purpose reefs are man-made underwater structures designed to mimic the functions of natural reefs.
They are installed on the seabed and serve several purposes:
- Wave Dissipation: By breaking and dissipating waves offshore, these reefs reduce the energy reaching the shore, thereby protecting coastal areas from erosion and storm damage;
- Sand Retention: The presence of the reef reduces the movement of sand away from the shore, helping to maintain or widen beaches;
- Ecological Enhancement: The reefs can be constructed with materials that support marine life, such as kelp forests, providing a habitat for a variety of marine species;
- Recreational Benefits: The altered wave patterns can create opportunities for recreational activities like surfing, which can boost local tourism;
The Reef + Sand Concept
The Reef + Sand concept integrates the construction of these artificial reefs with strategic beach nourishment.
Beach nourishment involves adding sand to the shoreline to counteract erosion and maintain beach width.
When combined with multi-purpose reefs, this method not only addresses immediate erosion concerns but also creates a more stable and sustainable shoreline over the long term.
How It Works
The artificial reef is constructed offshore, where it alters wave patterns in a way that encourages sand accumulation on the beach behind it.
This process creates a "sand-retention structure," effectively trapping sand that would otherwise be lost to deeper waters.
However, to maximize the effectiveness of this system, the beach is often pre-filled with additional sand.
And this is where the beach nourishment component comes into play.
The pre-filled sand helps to establish a new equilibrium shoreline, reducing the frequency and volume of future nourishment efforts.
The integration of reef construction with beach nourishment creates a more resilient coastal environment, offering protection from both chronic erosion and extreme weather events.
The Benefits
1. Coastal Protection
The primary benefit of the Reef + Sand approach is enhanced coastal protection.
By dissipating wave energy offshore, these reefs reduce the impact of storms on coastal infrastructure and communities.
The sand-retention effect further stabilizes the shoreline, which can complement or even reduce the need for other forms of shore protection and help minimize their associated impacts.
2. Recreational and Economic Benefits
The altered wave patterns created by the reef can enhance recreational opportunities, particularly for surfing.
Popular surf spots can boost local tourism, contributing to the economy.
Additionally, wider and more stable beaches attract more visitors, further supporting local businesses and real estate values.
3. Environmental and Ecological Advantages
Unlike traditional coastal defense structures, multi-purpose reefs can enhance local ecosystems.
The use of natural materials like quarried rock in reef construction creates habitats for marine flora and fauna.
For instance, kelp forests can anchor to the reef, providing food and shelter for various marine species.
The ecological enhancement is particularly important in areas like California, where marine protected areas (MPAs) are crucial for preserving biodiversity.
Case Studies and Examples
Over the past 25 years, several multi-purpose reef projects have been implemented worldwide, with varying degrees of success.
Notable examples include:
- Narrowneck Reef (Australia): Constructed in 2000 using sand-filled geotextile bags. Successfully increased beach width and improved conditions for surfing and recreational fishing;
- Pratte's Reef (California): Built in 2001 as an experimental surf reef but later removed due to deterioration. Highlighted the challenges of constructing durable reefs in high-energy environments;
- Stanley's Reef (aka Oil Piers Reef): The USACE funded the design of a multi-purpose reef to widen a beach in Ventura and potentially restore an associated surfing spot called "Oil Piers" and "Stanley's." The project design was completed, but funding was lost before permitting was completed, and it was not constructed;
Challenges and Uncertainties
While the potential benefits of multi-purpose reefs with beach nourishment are significant, several uncertainties and challenges must be addressed:
- Construction Costs: The initial cost of constructing these reefs can be high, particularly when using durable materials like quarried rock;
- Environmental Impact Assessments: The potential ecological impacts of reef construction need thorough evaluation, particularly concerning how these structures affect local sand transport and marine habitats;
- Adaptation to Climate Change: As sea levels rise and storm patterns change, the effectiveness of these reefs must be continuously monitored and potentially adapted;
- Regulatory and Permitting Challenges: The approval process for constructing artificial reefs can be complex, involving multiple environmental and governmental agencies;
The Way Forward
Given the growing threats to coastal regions from climate change, the development and implementation of nature-based solutions like multi-purpose reefs with beach nourishment are increasingly urgent.
In California, where coastal development is dense and natural sand supplies are limited, the Reef + Sand concept represents a promising alternative to traditional coastal protection methods like jetties, groins, seawalls, and breakwaters.
Further research, pilot projects, and collaborations with federal agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers are essential to refine the design and implementation of these structures.
We understand that the City of Pacifica has begun partnering with the USACE to potentially receive sand from its dredging operations in the San Francisco Mainship Channel and has requested a General Investigation (GI) study with USACE to examine potential solutions to Pacifica's broader erosion and coastal flooding problems.
These are great steps.
With a changing climate, rising sea levels, and a dense coastal population that has limited opportunities to retreat yet rely on the coast and beaches for social wellbeing and tourism, we feel it is time to consider the Reef + Sand concept.
With proper planning and investment, multi-purpose reefs with beach nourishment could play a crucial role in protecting and enhancing coastal regions for future generations.
Words by Bob Battalio, Robert Caughlan, George Domurat, Brian Gerrity, and Tom Kendall