(c) Currents. Variable, depending mostly on wind; generally southerly in spring 

 and summer, and northerly in fall and winter. 



(d) Winds. Prevailing winds from west to west-southwest. Mean annual wind- 

 speed 6 miles per hour with peak gusts recorded from the west at 62 miles per hour. 



(e) Storm Surge and Tides. 



Mean sea (tide) level, 2.8 feet above MLLW 

 Extreme tide level, 7.1 feet above MLLW 

 Mean tide range, 3.7 feet 

 diurnal, 5.4 feet, extreme, 10.0 feet 



(f) Littoral Transport. Little since construction of Santa Monica Breakwater. 



(g) Water Depth at Structure. 12 feet on offshore side, 

 (h) Bottom Conditions. Sandy. 



(5) Structural Features. Engineering drawings were not available. Observations 

 indicate the armor stone is granite, probably from Riverside, California quarries, about 175 

 pounds per cubic foot, used in graded sizes from 50 pounds to 10 to 11 tons each. No 

 information on whether a different material was used for the core. 



The slope on the seaward side is 1 on 1.5 or 1 on 2; steeper on the shore side. The 

 breakwater is 600 feet long with a crest elevation about 12 feet above MLLW. 



(6) Design Data. There is little available from reliable written records as to design 

 data, designer's name, contractor's name, or construction costs. Built by a subdivider in the 

 area, its original purpose was protection of the Venice Amusement Pier at Windward 

 Avenue. 



The builder, Abbott Kinney of Los Angeles, owned the breakwater until 1917, at which 

 time the breakwater and the beach and pier, went through various legal changes in 

 ownership. About 1948 or 1949 ownership was acquired by the City of Los Angeles in 

 Trusteeship for the State of California. 



(7) Structural Performance. 



(a) Performance. Built as protection from offshore waves for tlie Venice 

 Amusement Pier, the breakwater served its purpose well until the pier was demolished in 

 1948. Overtopped only by extreme waves. 



(b) Maintenance. No maintenance work on the structure has been reported. 



(8) Effect of Structure on Environment. 



(a) Physical. This breakwater has provided a prime example of conditions which 

 induce the natural formation of a tombolo, eventually connecting the detached breakwater 

 to shore by accretion behind the breakwater (Fig. 36). 



This breakwater, close to shore in comparison with its own length, with a wave shadow 

 around the ends reflecting offshore, causes accretion from shore outward. Sounding surveys 

 in 1935 and 1953 show the results of this action (Fig. 36). Local conditions have also 

 contributed to the overall result. 



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