Erosion Concerns Loom at Westport's South Jetty

Erosion on back side of Westport's south jetty spring '10

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sand nourishment project at Westhaven State Park in Westport, Washington, adjacent to Half Moon Bay, is already showing signs of weakness after repairs were done early this November a very vulnerable section of dunes. The park's south Jetty underwent a devastating breach in December 1993, and a partial breach some years later. The threat has been ongoing in the years since including this fall and winter.

The thin stretch of sand connecting Westhaven to the base of the Jetty was approximately 100 feet wide during last year’s November 4 repairs, which included placing fill along 200 feet of shoreline parallel to the entrance road coming into Westhaven Park (just above the cement walking trail and leading to the Park’s restrooms). Although the fill added by the Corps remains, fall storms and extreme high tides have led to very evident and increasing erosion along Half Moon Bay’s western shore. In addition very large chunks of land have broken away from the top of the dune just above the beach access trail that leads from the park restrooms to base of the South Jetty. A weakened section of dune which runs parallel to Westhaven’s beach about 35 to 40 feet wide and appears ready to break away. Concerns for further erosion continue as much of the area's winter storms are yet to come.

A major challenge for the Corps is that they have already utilized their entire remaining fill in the dune area just east of Half Moon Bay for continued beach nourishment work this fall. If an emergency situation occurs they will need to have more fill available, but the question of funding and how emergency nourishment might take place remains. Until decided the Corps continues to carefully monitor the situation with their primary concern being to protect Westport’s river mouth and shipping channel.