photo Carpinteria beach damage

Sequence of Events

  • Thomas Fire – December 2017
  • Montecito Debris Flows – January 9, 2018
  • Immediate Aftermath – January thru March 2018
    • Channel & street sediments taken to Carpinteria & Goleta Beaches
    • Debris basin sediments taken to Buellton & Santa Paula landfills
    • Private property sediments remained in place

Carpinteria Beach – 12 January 2018

Google Earth view of beach damage

Carpinteria Beach – 12 April 2018

photo overhead view of Carpinteria beach

Carpinteria Beach – 10 September 2018

photo of Carpinteria beach

Carpinteria Beach – Summary

  • 10 January 2018 – Nourishment begins
  • 9 February 2018 – Nourishment ends – 28,000 cy of sediment placed
  • March 2018 – Beach re-opened for swimming
  • Summer 2018 – Sandy beach w/ no sign of debris sediments

Goleta Beach – 12 January 2018

photo of overhead view of beach

Goleta Beach – 19 March 2018

photo of beach debris

Goleta Beach – 3 September 2018

photo of beach damage at Carpinteria beach

Goleta Beach – 2 January 2019

photo of Carpinteria beach

Goleta Beach – Summary

  • 11 January 2018 – Nourishment begins
  • 20 February 2018 – Nourishment ends – 40,000 cy of sediment placed
  • 6 July 2018 – Beach re-opened for swimming
  • Summer of 2018 – Sandy beach w/ large cobble deposit
  • January 2019 – Sandy beach w/ no sign of debris sediments

Lessons Learned

  • Carpinteria Beach recovered more quickly due to larger waves and sandier sediments
  • Goleta Beach recovered more slowly due to smaller waves, larger volume of sediment and more cobbles
  • The sorting area at Ventura Fair Grounds was important for dealing with the debris flow sediments
  • Pre-existing funding and environmental permits are critical for taking full advantage of opportunistic sediment sources

(Powerpoint presentation to BEACON Board Members during regularly scheduled meeting, Friday, January 18, 2019)