Dredging of Monterey Harbor is interim fix to surrounding beach erosion

This past winter truly beat up beaches on the Central Coast, much more than in most winters.

Del Monte Beach in Monterey and Seaside took a hard hit.

As the dredging continues to clear sand out the Monterey Harbor, it’s being recycled to restore those surrounding beaches.

“And of course this year with El Nino, the beaches suffered a lot more erosion, so our dredging operation in a modest little way is helping to rebuild those beaches to the public,” said Steve Scheiblauer, Monterey Harbormaster.

According to Scheiblauer, high tides and large swells have made it challenging to deposit the sand on the beaches that surround the harbor.

“Since there’s not a lot of beach left, because of the erosion, the high tides can really mean no beaches in some areas. so that makes it difficult for us to dispose,” said Scheiblauer.

Further down Del Monte Beach into Seaside is where the more significant erosion took place this past winter. Those are the areas that will receive most of the sand being dredged out of the harbor.

Many locals have been noticing the fading beaches and have raised concern, but are glad that the City of Monterey is on the offensive.

“I’ll tell you one thing, I’m very happy to see my tax money working for the people for a change and for the next generation,” said Gerry Indorato, who has been living in Monterey for over 50 years.

The dredging and the beach repairs look to continue through the month of April as crews are trying to take advantage of lower tides and smaller swells.