Dredging of the San Elijo Lagoon inlet is expected to be underway within a few days now that equipment is in place for the project, the nonprofit Nature Collective announced June 17.
The $2.7 million project had faced delays over the past few months, in addition to concerns of declining water quality affecting fish in the lagoon in recent weeks. It had been scheduled to be underway by February, but weather-related and technical issues had stalled its launch.
Work was anticipated to have started by Thursday, June 19, after the most recent delay — a piece of equipment that had been broken in transport.
“During testing, it was determined that one of the hydraulic cylinders controlling the cutterhead’s depth — the equipment the dredge uses to loosen and suck up the san — had broken during transport,” the Nature Collective’s most recent update stated.
The June 19 start date was dependent on completion of repairs to the equipment, according to the organization.
The Sandpiper dredge machinery, which arrived from San Diego Bay after modifications and retrofitting ahead of the San Elijo Lagoon project, will be used to remove 70,000 cubic yards of sand from the lagoon’s channel. Once launched, the dredge will operate nonstop for several days to remove the sand, most of which is located west of the ecological reserve’s Nature Center and east of the railroad bridge.
Pipes will carry the dredged sand to an area near the Chart House restaurant, followed by excavation at Cardiff State Beach.
Concerns remain about the health of wildlife in the reserve, however.
“Nature Collective continues to monitor for any potential fish loss and water quality every morning,” the organization’s update stated. “Since our last update on June 11, the water quality has remained stable and adequate, and in some cases, has even improved, with no fish loss. However, the increased sun and recent warmer temperatures could negatively impact the water quality.”
Organization ambassadors will be on hand near the Cardiff State Beach inlet to answer visitors’ questions June 20-22 from 9 a.m. to noon.
