In 2005, a group of public and private sector participants engaged in a collaborative process to explore the use of lower Columbia River maintenance dredge material to stem the depletion of the natural sand volumes in the near-shore environment off of the South Jetty of the Columbia River. The project team was convened by Jim Bergeron, a retired Sea Grant agent and currently a Port of Astoria Commissioner. Project support was provided by Steve Greenwood through the Lower Columbia Solutions Group and Oregon Solutions.
A number of studies documented significant erosion of near-shore sands resulting from the reduction in sediment in the littoral system, in particular a loss of offshore sediment to the mid-continental shelf and near shore region offshore from the Clatsop Plains, resulting in greater wave energy being focused on the jetty and the ocean shore. The ongoing erosion offshore from the south jetty and adjacent areas prompted concern that the south jetty may eventually be undermined or breached through by erosion. The placement of Columbia River dredge material in the near shore area off the south jetty may help to slow this process and prevent further damage to the jetty and erosion of the ocean shore beach.
The long-term objective of a proposed supplementation of dredged sediments would be to keep these sediments in the littoral zone, and rebuild the offshore sands to better protect the jetty from the impacts of waves coming from the southwest.
Project Documents
Columbia Near Shore Declaration of Cooperation 2005
Columbia Near Shore Project Scope 2005
Columbia Near Shore Demonstration Project Summary 2005
Progress Reports
10.10.08 Columbia Near Shore Progress Report
5.1.08 Columbia Near Shore Progress Report
1.31.08 Columbia Near Shore Progress Report
11.29.07 Columbia Near Shore Progress Report
11.10.05 Columbia Near Shore Project Report
Scientific Background and Advisory Team
Columbia River Littoral Cell Review and Recommendations
Columbia Near Shore Science Policy Background Paper
Meeting Agendas and Notes
Columbia Near Shore Meeting Notes 4.17.06
Columbia Near Shore Meeting Notes 11.09.05
Columbia Near Shore Meeting Notes 3.17.05
Columbia Near Shore Meeting Notes 11.23.04
Columbia Near Shore Meeting Notes 9.21.04
Columbia Near Shore Agenda 1.13.04
Columbia Near Shore Agenda 11.25.03
Columbia Near Shore Meeting Notes 10.27.03
Columbia Near Shore Agenda 10.27.03
Columbia Near Shore Agenda 10.16.03
Demonstration Project Planning and Funding
Columbia Near Shore Demonstration Project Summary 3.2005