Los Peñasquitos Lagoon sand removal, redux

San Diego city crews started sand removal from the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon on the morning of June 11.

Less than a month ago, California State Parks did an emergency lagoon opening to release stagnant water from the lagoon. A week later, the lagoon opening had closed up again with sand.

Nearby residents and frequent beachgoers have noted much higher levels of sand on the beachfront so far this season. Water levels in the lagoon have risen again due to "urban drool,” the continuous draining of runoff from developed hardscapes (watered landscapes and yards) surrounding the lagoon.

The San Diego County Department of Environmental Health’s Vector Control Program instituted countermeasures to control mosquitos as the water in the lagoon rose. Restoring the opening of the lagoon will enhance tidal flushing of the lagoon, bringing ocean water into the salt marsh.

This season's lagoon maintenance will take place weekdays from June 12th thru the 21st. The city has two excavators, three large dump trucks, and a front-loader onsite.

Beach access between towers 3 and 5 will be periodically interrupted during the process. State Park lifeguards and Natural Resources Agency staff will be onsite as monitors.