VENTURA, Calif. — The City of Ventura will build an approximately one-mile-long, 5- to 6-foot-high temporary sand berm along Pierpont Beach to help safeguard beachfront neighborhoods, public infrastructure, and coastal accessways ahead of seasonal high surf, El Niño-related winter storms, and upcoming King Tides, city officials announced.
Read the City of Ventura release: https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Blog.aspx?IID=197#item
The announcement was issued by the City of Ventura on November 13, 2026.
Equipment staging near local beaches begins Friday, November 13, 2026, according to the release.
Pierpont Beach, San Pedro to Greenock, and a November 16 Start
Heavy machinery will operate along Pierpont Beach, from San Pedro Street to Greenock Lane, between Monday, November 16 at 8:00 a.m. and Thursday, November 19 at 5:00 p.m., according to the release.
Observed ocean water is currently running more than a foot above predicted astronomical tides, officials reported.
Even moderate swells, combined with the increased likelihood of strong El Niño-driven storms and upcoming King Tides, pose a risk of wave overtopping and localized flooding, according to the release.
"We are already seeing observable changes along our shoreline, with far less surf required to threaten low-lying neighborhoods," said Mack Douglass, the City's Emergency Services Manager.
"Proactive emergency preparedness means learning from past winters, recognizing these early indicators, and building this berm before severe weather arrives," Douglass said.
A Winter Berm, a March Removal, and the Snowy Plover
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The sand berm will remain in place throughout the winter season, according to the release.
Anticipated deconstruction and sand redistribution are expected in March 2027, ahead of the nesting season for the federally protected Western Snowy Plover, officials reported.
Community members and beachgoers are urged to stay clear of all heavy machinery, active work zones, and steep berm slopes, according to the release.
Sandbags at Sanjon Road, Property Prep, and City Updates
Residents in low-lying coastal areas are encouraged to prepare their properties by securing outdoor furniture and utilizing sandbags where needed, officials reported.
Free sand and sandbags are available to Ventura residents at the City Maintenance Yard, 336 Sanjon Road, on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the release.
What happens next is the construction work November 16 through November 19, with the berm then in place for the winter season.
Residents can find information about the sand berm construction and emergency alerts at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/SandBerm, and official updates are published by the City of Ventura.
Sources
City of Ventura, Official Press Release, November 13, 2026: https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Blog.aspx?IID=197#item