Sand buildup in Moss Landing Harbor damaging to boats, other watercraft

UPDATE 3/8/2017 6:20 p.m.”

Mother Nature has done a number at Moss Landing Harbor this winter.

“Our maintenance dock has been completely eroded and undermined from all the wave action and wind,” said Linda McIntrye, the Moss Landing harbor master. “That’s going to be about a $140,000 emergency project. If you went over to north harbor you would see the fencing, temporary fencing around the access to the pedestrian wharf and visitor dock, and that access has been completely undermined and eroded and that project is due to start very soon.”

At the federally-owned channel into the harbor, possible sediment is making it difficult for some vessels to come in and out. McIntyre said the Army Corps of Engineers will take a look at the channel.

Another issue that’s happening is sand from State Parks property is drifting into the harbor. According to the port captain for Elkhorn Yacht Club, this has been an ongoing issue but this winter’s storms have “hastened its advance but this situation has evolved for years.”

During Wednesday’s low tide, part of the dock sat above water rather than on it. It’s impossible for a lot of vessels.

Fixes on the north harbor aren’t easy or cheap. McIntyre said dredging just that area would cost $500,000. That includes environmental assessments, permits and the work. The harbor is typically dredged every five years at a cost of about $1.5 million, with the next one planned for 2018. In the meantime —

“Our remedy for that, temporary immediate remedy is to remove some of the docks in order to provide ingress and egress for any vessels that want to get in and out,” McIntyre said.

She also wants to work with State Parks to see what can be done to prevent future erosion of Moss Landing State Beach. The agency has already done work to plant vegetation that can help slow erosion.

And once they get their ducks in a row, McIntyre said she’s like to hold a meeting with north harbor slip holders to keep them informed of the situation.

ORIGINAL POST:

Sand is building up in Moss Landing Harbor, damaging boats and other watercraft. On Wednesday, harbor master Linda McIntyre said the north portion has an accumulation of sand left behind from recent storms.

McIntyre said sand from the Moss Landing State Beach, which is managed by California State Parks, is drifting into the harbor. Dredging the north harbor would cost about half a million dollars.

KION’s Mariana Hicks has reached out to California State Parks for a response and will have more on this story Wednesday night.