The long beach Peninsula, a slender strip of land nestled between the ocean and Alamitos Bay, is at the forefront of a battle against rising tides and erosion. This year, the highest tides of the year have made their presence known, with a combination of natural cycles and human-induced climate change exacerbating the situation.
In mid-June, the peninsula witnessed dramatic scenes as high tides and strong swells caused water to surge over sand berms, inundating boardwalks and streets. This week, tides once again reached heights of 7 feet, although the absence of significant swells tempered the drama.
Understanding the Causes of Rising Tides
The recent high tides can be attributed to several factors. Mark Merrifield an oceanography professor at Scripps, explains that natural cycles related to the moon’s position relative to Earth play a role. Additionally, the El Niño climate pattern, which warms the Pacific Ocean, contributes to higher sea levels as warmer water expands.
Looking ahead, the situation is expected to worsen. Merrifield notes that the warm water typically peaks at the end of the year, suggesting that the upcoming winter high tide season could be even more eventful. Furthermore, atmospheric pollution is accelerating sea level rise, a trend that has been increasing since the Industrial Revolution, according to NASA.
Long Beach’s Adaptive Measures
The city of Long Beach’s climate action plan projects a rise in sea levels of up to 2 feet by 2050 and nearly 7 feet by 2100. Todd Leland Marine Bureau manager for the city, observes that the tides currently experienced are unlike anything seen in the past. Over the last decade, the city has had to construct sand berms year-round to protect oceanfront properties, a stark contrast to the occasional need in previous years.
To combat erosion, city workers transport sand from the wider western side of the beach to the peninsula six days a week. However, the sand movement is outpacing their efforts, leading to a shortage of space for building berms. In response, the city plans to dredge approximately 415,000 cubic yards of sand from the Alamitos Bay Channel later this year, aiming to extend the beach by about 200 feet. This expansion could potentially reduce the need for berms.
The Peninsula’s Perspective
Charles Thomas a resident of the peninsula for 50 years, recalls a time when the beach was much wider. He remembers hosting a wedding with a 96-foot tent on the beach in front of his house, a scene that would be impossible today due to erosion. Thomas supports the dredging project, hoping it will provide more effective protection than the berms.
For families like the Gadallahs who have rented on the peninsula for two years, the high tides present both challenges and excitement. While their porch has experienced flooding, they appreciate the sandbags’ effectiveness in preventing interior damage. However, they acknowledge the limitations of the berms, which offer protection only up to a certain point.
The Long Beach Peninsula’s struggle with rising tides and erosion serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges posed by climate change. As the city implements adaptive measures, residents and experts alike are keenly aware of the need to understand and adapt to living with higher water levels.
