critical reaches

South of Sloat Blvd

about this project
Although the threat of erosion is chronic and will increase, most areas currently have
either:
adequate interim protection (revetments, sandbags, sand, or rubble) or
sufficient distance between the eroding bluff and the Lake Merced Tunnel
erosion + emergency revetments
project overview
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+ SPUR
+ ESA/PWA
+ MOFFATT & NICHOL
+ JACOBS ASSOCIATES
+ AGS, INC
+ AECOM
+ San Francisco Public Utilities
Commission
+ Golden Gate National Recreational Area
+ San Francisco Department of Public
Works
+ CA Coastal Commission
+ US Army Corps of Engineers
+ San Francisco Public Utilities
Commission
+ CA State Coastal Conservancy
project team project partners
project funders
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the Ocean Beach Coastal Management Framework project is testing and refining the coastal
management concepts recommended in the Ocean Beach Master Plan
it will map out a long-range strategy as well as near-term actions
it is a multi-objective process: that considers coastal access, ecological functions, and aesthetics, in
addition to protecting infrastructure
It is hoped that this framework can be the basis of a formal interagency agreement to coordinate the long-
term stewardship of Ocean Beach
sloat parking lot 1990
erosion early 2000s, rubble reach
emergency repair 2010, reach 1
erosion 2012, reach 3 sand placement 2012, north lot reach
sand placement 2012, north lot reach
erosion 2010, north lot reach
erosion 2012, north lot reach
existing conditions
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SF ZOO
2010 SANDBAG
REVETMENT
2010 EMERGENCY
BLUFF TOE
PROTECTION
SLOAT BLVD
1
2012 SAND
PLACEMENT
1997 EMERGENCY
BLUFF TOE
PROTECTION
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Immediate-Term Coastal Management Plan (2014-2016)
sand placement
This measure would repeat the sand
placement that occurred in 2012, when
73,000 cubic yards of excess sand were
trucked from the North end of Ocean
Beach. This sacrificial protection is
expected to wash away, but meanwhile
provides erosion protection while improving
aesthetics and coastal access. Measure
to minimize windblown sand will be
implemented.
sandbag structure
Sandbags provide a removable and less
intrusive form of coastal protection. Existing
sandbags, placed in 2011, have performed
well, and are often covered with sand.
rubble consolidation
As a first step toward cleanup of rubble
exposed by erosion, rubble would be
cleared from parts of the beach and
consolidated close to the bluff toe, where it
would provide a degree of protection from
erosion.
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erosion + emergency revetments
whats happening in the short term?
While long-range plans are being developed and implemented, Ocean Beach is exposed to erosion
hazards. SFPUC and its partners are proposing a plan to manage the erosion in immediate future. It will:
utilize proven softer interventions in coordinated package
barring extreme events; these should by sufficient at least through spring 2016
the intent is to secure permits and clearances in advance to allow for rapid implementation, and:
demonstrate commitment to pro-active/adaptive management
existing rubble proposed to be consolidated
sandbag structure 2012
sand backpassing 2012
3 proposed management actions
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key findings
large scale beach nourishmentnourishment
New analysis is validating the
Ocean Beach Master Plan
approach, which combines:
managed retreat
beach nourishment
low-profile structural protection
toe of bluff offset
The engineering team and technical advisors are preparing a revised
hazard analysis, detailing the probability of coastal erosion threatening
the Lake Merced Tunnel.
The analysis incorporates climate change, including likely sea level
rise and the increased frequency and intensity of storms.
Additional geotechnical work will be conducted, to determine the precise
location and makeup of eroding materials.
hazard analysis
Tunnel Response to Unloading
Subjacent lateral
support reduced
r
Distortion Ratio:
r / r
r = Radius
Consulting structural engineers are examining
the Lake Merced Tunnel and the forces that
would act on it if the bluff recedes.
Initial results show that required buffer
distances can be significantly reduced over
earlier, more cautious assumptions. This means
that more space is available for coastal
retreat and surface restoration of the beach and
bluffs.
tunnel strucutural modeling
Structures will be installed from above, behind the bluff face, and will be invisible until eventually exposed by
erosion. Several available techniques are under consideration.
Several different methods of low-profile structural protection are under consideration, inluding jet grout walls.
Once structural protection segments are in place, existing revetments, sandbags and exposed rubble can be
removed in that area. Cobble, sand, and native vegetation would then be placed over the structure to restore the
surface.
If and when eroding bluffs approach a structure, it would be finished with a concrete cap and/or facing. Even once
complete, structures would likely be invisible much of the time, like the existing Taraval seawall.
low-profile structural protection
The City and County of San Francisco is continuing to pursue large-scale beach
nourishment in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers, who dredge
approximately 300,000 cubic yard of clean sand from the Marine Shipping
Channel near Ocean Beach.
This partnership would allow significant widening of Ocean Beach in erosion-
prone areas, and is an important management tool recommended in the Ocean
Beach Master Plan.
Permitting efforts are underway.
taraval seawall jet grout wall
Structures to protect the Lake Merced Tunnel will be installed in
segments where:
erosion encroaches on defined triggers or,
where cleanup or removal of existing structures is a priority

SF ZOO
lake merced tunnel
50 offsert
100 offset
existing toe of bluff
SLOAT BLVD
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next steps
coastal management and protection sequencing-
1 - typical condition
4 - sub-surface wall
7 - nourishment
2 - managed retreat
5 - beach cleanup
8 - restoration
3 - sand placement
6 - expected erosion
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A typical existing condition at
Ocean Beach showing the Great
Highway and stone revetments.
As the beach recedes further,
subsurface structural protection
is proposed for the Lake Merced
tunnel, and the removal of the
Great Highway south of Sloat
Boulevard to allow surface
restoration and coastal access.
Once erosion has reached a
significant point, round stone
cobble and sand would be placed
to create a dynamic dune system,
with the ability to dissipate the
erosive forces of the ocean.
As the beach recedes, the Great
Highway will be narrowed (see
transportation study).
With the new structural protection in
place and the Great Highway removed,
restoration becomes possible.
With the dune system in place,
resoration of native vegetation could
occur effectively.
Periodic large scale placement
of sand (beach nourishment) will
slow erosion and maintain the
quality of the beach in the near or
medium term.
As erosion continues, the
protective structure around the
Lake Merced Tunnel may become
exposed periodically, similar to the
Taraval sea wall today.
This effort will take significant time and effort to plan, review environmentally, design, fund, permit, and construct.
It will require a sustained collaboration among city agencies, GGNRA, the Army Corps, and the California Coastal
Commission.
The City and County of San Francisco has initiated a process to update the Western Shoreline Plan, San Franciscos
Local Coastal Program. This process, subject to review by the Coastal Commission, will provide the planning basis
for sustainable, long-term coastal management at Ocean Beach.
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long term