OCEANSIDE’S SHORELINE IS IN A CRISIS & IT DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT
Oceanside’s beaches are more than just sand
—they’re vital to our community, economy, and way of life.
Over the past century, natural processes and human activity have combined to dramatically shrink our beaches, threatening public access, surf breaks, and coastal resilience.
What once were wide stretches of sand for walking, gathering, and sunbathing are now reduced to narrow strips—or sometimes disappear entirely at high tide.How Oceanside Lost Its Sand
Coastal erosion happens when waves, currents, and human activity remove sand faster than it can be naturally replenished.
The construction of the Camp Pendleton Boat Basin (1942) and Small Craft Harbor (1963), collectively known as the Harbor Complex, significantly blocked the natural flow of sand, reducing inputs into the Oceanside Littoral Cell (the stretch of coastline from Oceanside North Jetty south to Black’s Beach).
The Henshaw Dam (1923) plus significant damming and diversions of tributaries have also reduced Oceanside’s sediment supply from the San Luis Rey River.
The US Army Corps of Engineers San Luis Rey River Flood Control Project, initially authorized in 1970 and ongoing, has further reduced sediment supply to Oceanside.
"For locals, this means less beach to play, gather, or even walk during high tide.”Millions of Cubic Yards
— Still Not Enough
Over 20 million cubic yards of sand have been placed on Oceanside beaches through dredging and nourishment efforts, but beaches south of Harbor Beach still can’t sustain dry sand.
Even massive one-time and annual projects aren’t enough to overcome ongoing erosion and disrupted natural sand flows.
Sand Placed on Oceanside's Beaches
The Reality Today
Many of Oceanside’s beaches are reduced to cobble or are non-existent. At high tide, there’s barely room to walk, let alone surf, sunbathe, or build a sandcastle.
Without sustainable beaches, Oceanside’s shoreline is more vulnerable to storms public access is limited, and critical habitats are at risk. Narrow beaches also reduce coastal protection, leaving infrastructure more exposed to damage.
Recreation Loss
No space for gathering at the beach, walking along the shore, or building sandcastles with your kids.
Environmental Impacts
Critical habitats for coastal species are disappearing.
Risk to Community
Reduced storm protection and increased flooding vulnerability.
Why Oceanside’s Coastline is Sand Starved
Over the last several decades, Oceanside has been losing its sand — and fast.
The culprits? A mix of human impacts and natural forces that have disrupted the way sand moves along our coast.-
The Harbor Complex (1942) blocks southward sand transport (e.g. Santa Margarita River), starving Oceanside’s beaches of sediment.
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The Henshaw Dam (1923) plus significant damming and diversions of tributaries have reduced Oceanside’s sediment supply from the San Luis Rey River.
The US Army Corps of Engineers San Luis Rey River Flood Control Project, initially authorized in 1970 and ongoing, has further reduced sediment supply to Oceanside.
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Bigger waves, higher tides = faster erosion with no protective beach.
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Oceanside’s altered shoreline dynamics require retention mechanisms.
Oceanside has not historically managed its coastline effectively.
Lack of political will and funding.
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Annual harbor dredging in Oceanside is NOT a sand nourishment project; rather it is a federal project to clear the navigation channel and dispose of the sediment.
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USACE projects (Encinitas/Solana Beach and San Clemente) took roughly 17 - 20 years from inception to initial sand nourishment.
What’s Been Tried
— And Why It Didn’t Work
Millions of dollars have been spent restoring Oceanside’s beaches, but still, they disappeared.
Strategy
1. Annual harbor dredging to clear navigation channel of the harbor
2. Regional Beach Sand Projects (RBSP) I, 2001 and (RBSP) II, 2012
3. The late 1980s sand bypass system
What Happened
1. United States Army Corps disposes of sediment on the beach.
2. Added total of 700K cubic yards of sand south of the Pier.
3. Built system to mimic natural sand transport
Why It Fell Short
1. The sediment is too fine (it is small grain), which erodes very quickly.
2. Projects were relatively short-lived without retention.
3. Mechanical failures & lack of funding – left abandoned
"Dredging and nourishment alone cost millions of dollars every cycle
—yet without sand retention, they’re only a temporary fix." -SOS Board Member, Matt C.