Concrete Pieces Break Loose from Santa Monica Channel in Storm
Large Concrete Fragments Collapse into Santa Monica Channel During Storm
LOS ANGELES – Swift waters of the Santa Monica channel near Rustic Canyon gave way to significant erosion during the recent storm, resulting in large pieces of concrete breaking off and filling the channel. Local residents described the noise of rushing water as "sounding like a freight train."
After the rain subsided, County Public Works reported that the channel was left littered with sizable concrete chunks, remnants of an overlay laid in the 1970s. Councilperson Traci Park informed the community that the debris would remain in place until the storm subsides, highlighting safety concerns as the channel’s capacity has been reduced by 15%.
"My house is right next to it, and I’ve never seen anything like this!" noted resident David Levine. Councilperson Park acknowledged the community’s worries, stating, "I’d be worried too. We are keeping a close eye on this and working with County Public Works."
Park emphasized that while the current debris is only overlay material, engineers plan to assess the integrity of the channel walls once the weather clears. She reiterated the necessity for improved management of how channels facilitate water and debris flow into the ocean, stating, "We need to come up with a better solution. We have been speaking about this for years. It’s not only a matter of pollution; it’s a matter of safety, and we need to start dealing with it now."
