In this area of southern California, serious accretion will take place if a structure is 

 distant from shore less than three to six times its own length. In this case, the 600-foot-long 

 breakwater, was originally located 1,000 feet offshore from the mean lower low water Une. 



The Venice Amusement Pier, with its piling and footings in the beach zone, contributed 

 heavily to beach buildup and extension out to the breakwater in the immediate area. 



Littoral transport in a southerly direction along the shore was 200,000 to 250,000 cubic 

 yards per year, until construction in 1933 of the Santa Monica breakwater, approximately 

 1.5 miles up the coast. Stabilization began at this time and by the mid-1940's beach erosion 

 due to Uttoral transport had stopped. 



At the time the Amusement Pier was removed (1948), 14 mUhon cubic yards of sand 

 were deposited along the Venice Beach. By 1953, as shown on the sounding surveys, the 

 tombolo had reached the breakwater and is stiU building. 



(b) Biota. In the absence of recorded data, reports indicate heavy marine life in 

 the breakwater area. Periodic pollution in the area is due to offshore seepage of natural 

 asphalt and, previously, to solid sewage disposal at Los Angeles. However, these causes do 

 not involve the structure in any way. 



(c) Aesthetics. Probably because of the length of time in existence, there are no 

 known aesthetic objections. 



(9) Engineering. Unknown. 



(10) Construction Contractors. Abbott Kinney, Los Angeles. 



(11) Construction Cost. Unknown. 



67 



