Beginning Research

As we begin to work on our water project, I have found a few questions that I would like to research further.

What are the positive/negative attributes of the OB Jetty? Do they cause problems or have a purpose beyond erosion?

What is a Jetty?

A jetty is usually a pile of rocks extending into the water to protect a small area from a tide or current, or for forming basins along the sea-coast for ports in tide less seas. Jetties can be used for regulating rivers, entrances to harbors, lagoon outlets and rivers. Jetties are built at the mouth of a river or entrance to a bay to help deepen and stabilize a channel and facilitate navigation.

Positive Attributes:
*Helps with erosion to keep beaches at the same length.
*Provides a surfing spot

It begins with a steep peak and a small takeoff zone, but then elongates into a long, fast right wall. It sections depending on the sandbar and swell direction. Both sets and insiders are similarly shaped, and the break, although preferring a mid- to low tide, will break well on just about any tide.

*To direct and confine the stream or tidal flow to a selected channel, or to prevent shoaling( The bottom effect which influences the height of waves moving from deep to shallow water.)

Negative Attributes:
*People have gotten caught onto the rocks, and had to have been rescued by boats.
*Pollution and trash gets caught into the rocks, and it is necessary for groups to go in and clean the trash.


For my piece of writing, I hope to visit the OB Jetty, and see what I can find in the rocks. When I go, I will look for trash, animals inhabiting the rocks, and other things I might find unusual. I will ask the lifeguards if the Jetty provides trouble with swimmers; does it create more rescues or help out in case of a rescue?

How is the Port of San Diego (Organization) improving the environment in San Diego Bay?




In San Diego Bay, There are many different forms of boating. There are sailboats, personal motor/power yachts, cargo ships containing cars,food and products from outside sources, cruise ships, ferry's and also harbor excursions.

The Port of San Diego States, " One of the Port of San Diego's many responsibilities is to protect the bay and its resources."

They have realized the boats are causing an issue, and are doing what they can to help. For example;
The party boat, " The Neptunes Palace" has been removed from the bottom of San Diego Bay in June of 2008. The boat had sunk in 2003. While being bellow the surface, parts of the ship rotted away and spread throughout our bay.

Although the Port of San Diego is " actively cleaning our bay" the link provided on their website to check the water quality of areas around San Diego Bay, all of the locations are labeled, " NO DATA AVAILABLE."

For cruise ships, we have a cruise ship in port for the most part every day, if not more than one every day. When cruise ships are in town, the bay is being polluted by the cruise ship itself, as well as the number of tourist attractions go up. Harbor excursions and ferries to Coronado become more popular and run more frequently to keep up with the demand.

The Port of San Diego is also responsible recreational fisheries on San Diego Bay. The Port is currently working in a partnership with the State Coastal Conservancy and the commercial fishermen of San Diego Bay on a project to enhance the commercial fishing industry in San Diego. The first step in this effort is the development of a Commercial Fisheries Revitalization & Coastal Public Access Plan for San Diego Bay. To complete the plan, the Port of San Diego and our partners will utilize a grant of $450,000 grant from the California Coastal Conservancy as well as funds provided by the Port. This money and effort is going to help increase the pollution in the bay and could be used to protect animals and other inhabitants of the bay.


For this piece of writing, I want to do it as a current news article. I want to interview people who work for the different forms of commercial and privately owned boats that occupy San Diego bay. I want to ask them and quote them on their personal views. I also want to go to the bay and take observations and data on the amount of boats using the Bay at different times.


Resources:
OB Jetty:
Jetty Video
Rock Jetties
Sign On San Diego
San Diego Reader

San Diego Bay:
Commercial Fisheries
The Port of San Diego
Water Quality
Port of San Diego Environment