The annual winter sand berm is up on Seal Beach, bigger than in previous years. “You can positively tell that it is larger than our berms from previous years,” said City Engineer Michael Ho.
The berm is, in fact, twice as large as usual. Associate Engineer David Spitz paced off the top of the berm for the press and estimated it was about 20 feet wide at the top. The Seal Beach berm is usually 10 feet wide. The reason for the larger berm this year: to prepare for El Niño 2016. Experts are expecting a strong El Niño this winter. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, El Niño refers to warmer waters in the Pacific ocean. El Niño can increase the likelihood of rain and change ocean waves, among other things. Ho said that the size of the pier will give the berm more time to erode, which will give city staff more time to respond before it can be breached by waves.
Historically, the berm usually protects beachfront homes from flooding. However, as previously reported, in 2010 an ocean surge overwhelmed the berm. Ho participated in designing this year’s winter berm. According to Ho, designing of the berm had to be done quickly because construction was time sensitive.
The sand wall stretches from the playground at the foot of the pier to the end of Seal Way housing. As in prior years, ramps have been built into the berm so that Lifeguards can drive up and down its sides as they patrol the beach.A solitary jogger was seen at the top of the berm Monday morning. On other days, children have been seen sliding down the sides of the berm.
Ho said he was quite pleased with the result. Ho said the staff would probably have details about the cost of the berm project in January 2016. In 2010, the sand berm cost Seal Beach about $1 million to build, according to a statement issued by the city two years ago.
