![]() That dredging will allow officials to restore the pond’s previous aquatic habitat, which was impacted by ongoing sediment erosion that over time has decreased the pond’s water depth and led to algae growth. These breaking waves are extremely hazardous to incoming, and outgoing vessels and pose a particular danger to individuals walking on either of the jetties.MERIDEN - The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission has approved city parks officials’ plans to dredge the lower pond at Hubbard Park. ![]() Shoaling conditions caused by littoral sand drift produce dangerous and unpredictable breaking wave formations at the harbor’s entrance. THE DANGER OF SHOALING Because of sand incursion at the mouth of the harbor, it is essential that an annual dredging effort be maintained to assure sufficient depth at the harbor entrance to permit the safe passage of vessels transiting the entrance. Impeding sand is then dredged from the entrance channel and deposited in the inter-tidal zone where the existing littoral drift carries it down-coast, nourishing those beaches east of the Santa Cruz Harbor entrance. Constantly moving, the sand mass builds up against the west jetty and flows around it, shoaling the Santa Cruz Harbor entrance channel. Sand indicated by orange dotted areas, is carried down the San Lorenzo River and thence moved down-coast by wave and tidal action called littoral drift. This constant movement of masses of sand is termed littoral drift. The amount of material moved and deposited is directly proportional to the severity of current and wave conditions. ![]() Such movement is generated by the ongoing forces of waves and currents. Dredging of the harbor is required because of the constant easterly movement of sand along our coast and thus, across our harbor entrance. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |