San Elijo Lagoon Dredging About to Begin

During the week of June 4-12, the inlet to San Elijo Lagoon will be breached from sand and cobble obstruction.

This annual inlet excavation reconnects San Elijo Lagoon to the Pacific Ocean. San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is the organization overseeing the process.

“The lagoon’s inlet and channel appears open but is approximately 80 percent blocked,” said Doug Gibson, Conservancy executive director and principal scientist. “Tidal circulation is significantly muted as a result of sand buildup under the coast highway bridge and in the main channel.”

Keeping the inlet open to the ocean is critical to maintaining the health of San Elijo Lagoon. Left unattended, it could remain closed much of the year from buildup of sand transported by high incoming tides, surf and storm surges.

The inlet excavation costs approximately $100,000 and is conducted through the support of California Coastal Conservancy and County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health.

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