3rd upper launch erosion - done 2016

by **knyfe** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:09 pm

Ok as a 3rd kiter for more than 10 years I want to point out a topic up we like to ignore - or at best dont want to think about. The 3rd upper launch eroded dramatically over the years. Now, as google earth offers a time sider and a ruler I measured the beach length of their images 1993 to 2012.
So here we have the 93 image

: 93.jpg (57.25 KiB) Viewed 5105 times

and here the 2012

: 2012.jpg (54.44 KiB) Viewed 5105 times

now with the line tool I measured the minimum beach length of the cove to the stones. So we get this graph.

: 3rd plot.jpg (13.55 KiB) Viewed 5105 times

We loose 9 meters per year. And quite linear. With the remaining 31 meters minimum we have till 2016 when the cove actually will touch the stones. We have to act either with the city or without. Now what do you think is the option of choice?

Best, Georg

by **kitet** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:13 pm

I totally agree that we need to do something and am willing to help. Every year this comes up, and every year a few naysayers jump in to say we can't do anything without the city and talking to the SFBA about what they are doing, blah, blah, blah... I'm all for following protocol but not at this pace. I rather ask for forgiveness than permission in this instance. As pointed out, we won't have upper launch for much longer if we don't take action.

Does anyone have any erosion control experience? What needs to be done? Two lines of sandbags? One at the line shown in 1993 and another close to the current line?

by **ramsey** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:26 am

a couple guys with sandbags are simply not going to stop or even slow down this type of erosion. you need someone who knows what they are doing and probably some heavy equipment.

by **mcfly777** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 5:24 pm

Which municipality has jurisdiction over this area ? Is it Foster City or San Mateo ? Has the SFBA ever discussed this issue with the city ?

Leo

by **Loscocco** » Sat Jul 27, 2013 5:31 pm

I am familiar with this type of work.

You would have to get numerous environmental impact studies done, draw up plans, get permits, find funding, get a licensed company to perform the work, have it inspected... etc etc etc.. i wouldn't hold your breath.

If a sandbag or two a day and some carpet mysteriously appeared to create a barrier it likely would be done faster. It would require thousands of them to even halt the erosion much less reverse it and would be illegal

Rip rap encased in wire mesh and/or bay dredgings dumped there strategically would be the real fix. Then maybe a nice lawn area and entry ramp to turn it into a real Kite Park. Millions of

and years to do.

Unfortunately thats the reality of it.

just saying... wait.. i didn't say that

by **btahoe** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 8:42 am

Wonder what caused the erosion? Looks like vegetation is no longer present.

by **Aloha** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 11:03 am

Mother Nature must love pro pools

by **etxxz** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 6:08 pm

wow.. good post! with bad news 0.o

north launch is doomed no amount of begging to the city will get that "fixed" enjoy it while its there. drift launch from last chance?

by **knyfe** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 6:15 pm

I see that we dont have a chance doing it "manually" the easy way.

So does anyone have a contact to the Forster City? which department do we need to talk to?

G

by **gtilde** » Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:34 pm

Ditto on loscocco's comment. A not insignificant effort that holds at least several years of committed work and some money to consider.
G - I believe there are multiple jurisdictions involved, have a check in with the SFBA folks.