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Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment Photos

Sand stretching outward to the ocean.
South End of Ocean Beach Looking North
Sept. 18, 2021, the last load of material was pumped onto the beach tonight, ahead of schedule. All material necessary to complete construction of the project as designed is now on the beach. Removal of the pipe from the dredge to shore is anticipated to be completed Sept. 19. Final grading of the site is anticipated to complete early this week and will be followed by demobilization activities. The contractor is expected to remove most of the exclusionary fencing and allow public access to the majority of the beach around the middle to latter part of Sept. 20.
Sand stretching outward to the ocean.
South end of Ocean Beach looking South
Sept. 18, 2021, the last load of material was pumped onto the beach tonight, ahead of schedule. All material necessary to complete construction of the project as designed is now on the beach. Removal of the pipe from the dredge to shore is anticipated to be completed Sept. 19. Final grading of the site is anticipated to complete early this week and will be followed by demobilization activities. The contractor is expected to remove most of the exclusionary fencing and allow public access to the majority of the beach around the middle to latter part of Sept. 20.
Sloping sand down to water with a bulldozer off in the distance.
Finished Beach Slope for Northern Half of Ocean Beach
The final load of sand was placed on the northern half of the project on Saturday Sept 4. At this time approximately 155,000 CY of an estimated 250,000 CY of sand is in place on the beach. Completion of the northern half of the beach nourishment area has been followed by the start of beach nourishment of the southern half. Placement of beach nourishment material is anticipated to be complete in mid to late September, with completion of pumping possible as early as the start of next week.
Mounds of sand on a beach with construction equipment.
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment - Seeing Results on the Beach
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is under construction! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission.
Mounds of sand on a beach with construction equipment.
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment - Seeing Results on the Beach
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is under construction! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission.
Mounds of sand on a beach with construction equipment.
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment - Seeing Results on the Beach
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is under construction! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission.
Beach front, ocean, sand being pumped ashore, construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment - Seeing Results on the Beach
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is under construction! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission.
Beach front, ocean, sand being pumped ashore, construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment - Seeing Results on Beach
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is under construction! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission.
Beach front, ocean, sand being pumped ashore, construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is under construction! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission.
Beach front, ocean, sand being pumped ashore, construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment - Seeing Results on the Beach
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is under construction! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission.
Beach front, ocean, sand being pumped ashore, construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment - Seeing Results on the Beach
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is under construction! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission.
Beach front, ocean, sand being pumped ashore, construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment - Seeing Results on the Beach
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is under construction! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission.
Beach front, ocean, sand being pumped ashore, construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment - Seeing Results on the Beach
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is under construction! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission.
Beach front, ocean, sand being pumped ashore, construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment - Seeing Results on the Beach
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is under construction! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission.
Sand, beach, ocean and construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment First Sand Hitting the Shore
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is finally here! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission. These photos were of the first loads of dredged sand coming from the hopper dredge off shore pumped to Ocean Beach.
Sand, beach, ocean and construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment First Sand Hitting the Shore
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is finally here! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission. These photos were of the first loads of dredged sand coming from the hopper dredge off shore pumped to Ocean Beach.
Sand, beach, ocean and construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment First Sand Hitting the Shore
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is finally here! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission. These photos were of the first loads of dredged sand coming from the hopper dredge off shore pumped to Ocean Beach.
Sand, beach, ocean and construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment First Sand Hitting the Shore
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is finally here! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission. These photos were of the first loads of dredged sand coming from the hopper dredge off shore pumped to Ocean Beach.
Sand, beach, ocean and construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment First Sand Hitting the Shore
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is finally here! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission. These photos were of the first loads of dredged sand coming from the hopper dredge off shore pumped to Ocean Beach.
Sand, beach, ocean and construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment First Sand Hitting the Shore
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is finally here! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission. These photos were of the first loads of dredged sand coming from the hopper dredge off shore pumped to Ocean Beach.
Sand, beach, ocean and construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment First Sand Hitting the Shore
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is finally here! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission. These photos were of the first loads of dredged sand coming from the hopper dredge off shore pumped to Ocean Beach.
Sand, beach, ocean and construction equipment
Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment First Sand Hitting the Shore
The much-anticipated U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beneficial Use project at Ocean Beach is finally here! This Ocean Beach Continuing Authorities Program Section 204 comprises building a sand berm on property owned by Golden Gate National Recreation Area in front of 3,000 feet of the bluff south of Sloat Boulevard using sand dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel. The project goal is to protect the Great Highway and wastewater infrastructure maintained by the City and County of San Francisco, Public Utilities Commission. These photos were of the first loads of dredged sand coming from the hopper dredge off shore pumped to Ocean Beach.
photo of brown sand dropping off drastically toward the water with rocks down below.
Before - Bluff erosion at Ocean Beach
Bluff erosion in the stretch of Ocean Beach south of Sloat Boulevard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ocean Beach CAP Sect. 204 - Beneficial Use of Dredged Material

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The project is located along San Francisco Ocean Beach.  Severe and persistent erosion threatens municipal wastewater infrastructure.  Dredged material from the maintenance of the San Francisco main ship channel, the gateway to San Francisco Bay, was utilized to construct protective sand dunes along the eroded stretch of beach to provide shoreline protection and environmental and recreational benefits.

 

TOTAL FUNDING

 

TOTAL COST

                        $ 3,880,910.43

FEDERAL COST

                        $ 2,522,591.78

NON-FEDERAL COST

                        $ 1,358,318.65

 

FY 22 accomplishments

  • Completed Design Phase
  • Signed Construction PPA
  • Executed Implementation (construction of dunes)
  • Team acquired all necessary environmental permitting to construct in August 2021

FY 23 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Closeout of project.

ISSUES AND OTHER INFORMATION

  • The City and County of San Francisco are the Non-Federal Sponsor (NFS).
  • This project did not receive funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Title IV, Pub. L. No. 111-5, 123 Stat. 115, Feb. 17, 2009.
  • New Section 204 implementation guidance has not been fully interpreted and rendered by HQ.  However, the approved DPR was reviewed at HQ in 2016 and the project was allowed to go forward with signing a PPA.
  • The NFS and Corps have agreed to the bifurcation of the PPA into a design PPA (DA) and construction PPA to alleviate the NFS’s CEQA issue. 
  • The NFS completed CEQA before the signing of the construction PPA.
  • Approximately, 440,000 cubic yards of material was dredged from the San Francisco Main Ship Channel and placed on the beach to construct the dune.
  • The NFS has expressed interest in coordinating with the Corps about future placements on the beach to support the dune.
  • Recent discussions with NFS have occurred about the best pathways for obtaining the most streamlined strategies (i.e., Section 125A) for carrying out future placements on a frequent basis.

CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST

  • 11th District, Rep. Nancy Pelosi

POINT OF CONTACT

  • Deputy for Project Management, (415) 503-6593.

Updated on 29 June 2026

Public Notices

For more information on the Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaption Project please visit this link: www.sfpuc.org/oceanbeach. 

Construction Notice Ocean Beach Beach Nourishment 2021 

Media Coverage

SF PUC and USACE Celebrate Ocean Beach Nourishment Project

Project Contact

Juliette Hayes
Juliette.Hayes@usace.army.mil
415-361-1230
450 Golden Gate
San Francisco, CA 94102

Contact

Projects & Planning General Info
415-503-3674
450 Golden Gate
San Francisco, CA 94102