October 27th Update - HIGH TIDES!
PILINGS AND HIGH TIDES – OH MY!
You may have noticed unusually high water around your dock today, with local observations suggesting levels are approximately 6–8 inches above tide-table predictions.
TOMORROW WILL BE ABOUT THE SAME.
Even higher tides are predicted for November and December
Warmer ocean water and a phenomenon called a coastal Kelvin wave can temporarily raise sea levels, allowing high tides to exceed tide-table predictions. Hurricanes to the south and other weather conditions have also contributed to the extreme tides this year in California.
Now is a good time to check your dock.
If your dock’s rollers or piling guides are approaching the caps at high tide, contact a qualified dock contractor to discuss precautions before the next round of king tides.
I realize there may be a wait for dock services!
With that in mind, I’m sharing some temporary measures suggested this morning by a well-known local dock specialist who services docks throughout our area. Every dock is different! Parallel docks to seawalls (=) are more vulnerable to sway than perpendicular (at right angle) docks.
Please contact your dock specialist to confirm that these approaches are appropriate for your dock before attempting them if your dock is in disrepair.
DISCLAIMER: I am offering the following temporary solutions and friendly advice below, that I received from a well know local dock specialist this morning.
Consider contacting your dock specialist to confirm this approach is appropriate for your dock before attempting it.
TEMPORARY MEASURES
One possible temporary measure is adding secured, water-filled containers to lower a floating dock slightly and provide additional clearance below the piling caps. Even adding people could help!
(Woo hoo – literal dock parties!)
Use this approach only after confirming that your dock can safely carry the additional weight. If your dock is in disrepair, please use extreme caution.
Two trash cans filled with water can give you about 4 inches – which could make a big difference! How much the dock lowers depends on its size and flotation.
Plan to monitor your dock during the highest tides
Check local tide times and coastal advisories, and arrange for someone to keep an eye on it if you will be away.
TOMORROW WILL ALSO BE HIGH – peaking at 10:47 am.
If a piling cap tips off but the dock’s guide frame still surrounds the concrete piling: Gentle guidance with pipes or poles, can help keep the frame centered as the tide recedes and allow it to settle back into place.
Have a friend or neighbor act as a spotter. Keep hands and feet clear of pinch points, and do not force the frame.
.If the guide frame has cleared the piling entirely, contact a dock professional promptly.
Our sheltered waterways generally experience less wave action than exposed coastal locations, which may help with monitoring and gentle adjustments. Even so, use caution: docks can shift unexpectedly.
Looking ahead to November and December
The upcoming king tides could bring even higher water levels.
What remains uncertain is how much these temporary ocean conditions will add to the predicted tides. It is best to prepare rather than assume the extra water will recede before then.
A little preparation now can help protect our docks, boats and waterfront homes. Thank you for keeping an eye on your dock and looking out for your neighbors!
We are also communicating with vendors to hopefully aid in facilitating some grouped homeowner responsibility repairs in our area. Piling replacements and dock repairs that require barges are best grouped to lower costs.
More on this later!
A note about Hemlock work.
The higher than expected tides are not resulting in lower than expected low tides.
This may delay further the foundation work that requires -1 (negative) tides.
Below is the first October Update
October Update
- Hemlock Seawall Project
- Boat Returns and Gangway Access
- All gangways are scheduled to be reinstalled by October 9, except at 3920, where the gangway bracket rests directly on an unfinished pilaster. Boat-return access at that location remains pending.
- Upcoming Work Schedule
- October 5–9 — Early morning work beginning at 1 a.m.
- October 26–30 — Work beginning at 4 p.m. and continuing into the evening.
- Late November and December — Remaining seawall repairs.
- Boat Returns and Gangway Access
- City Council District 1 Candidates Forum update:
- Video is online
- Questions may still be submitted until Oct. 7th
- 5th Annual Parade of Frights: Saturday October 24th, 2026
- Full day of Halloween events at channel Islands Harbor plus the PARADE at 7pm
- Click here to see details and boat entry form!
Hemlock Seawall Project Update
We have encouraging news to share about the Hemlock seawall project: boats can begin returning on Saturday, October 10! Eight pilaster concrete jackets have recently been completed, and most gangways are scheduled to be back in place by Friday, October 9.
Additional repairs remain, with work scheduled around the low tides needed for access and proper curing of construction materials. Here’s what affected households and nearby neighbors can expect.
Boat Returns and Gangway Access
All gangways are scheduled to be reinstalled by October 9, except at 3920, where the gangway bracket rests directly on an unfinished pilaster. Boat-return access at that location remains pending.
During later foundation repairs, the contractor will need to temporarily remove gangways one location at a time to access areas where sheet piles must be installed. Affected households will receive advance notice so they can move their boats before gangway removal and reinstallation.
Please anticipate relocating your boat for approximately two days when work reaches your location. This precaution will help protect boats from damage.
Upcoming Work Schedule
- October 5–9 — Early morning work beginning at 1 a.m.
The contractor will remove formwork from the eight recently completed pilaster concrete jackets during the low-tide window. Notices have been posted at the jobsite on both the Napoli and Ravoli sides. - October 26–30 — Work beginning at 4 p.m. and continuing into the evening.
Crews will begin preparing for foundation repairs by moving riprap rocks away from seawall footing areas where sheet piles will be installed. This work also requires low-tide access. - Late November and December — Remaining seawall repairs.
Work is scheduled around the next extreme low tides, expected to fall below −1 foot. These negative tides are needed for construction materials to properly cure and adhere to the seawall.
Staging Area Cleanup
One of the two construction staging areas is being cleaned up and is scheduled to be returned to the City by Friday, October 9. The second area will remain in use for construction-material storage until approximately the end of December, while the remaining work is completed.
Thank you to affected homeowners and nearby neighbors for your patience and cooperation, especially during the unusual work hours required by the tides. We’re pleased to see this progress and will share further updates as they become available.
PLEASE SEE THE IMAGES AND DETAILS IN THE ACCORDION BELOW:
Work Update Details, images and work to come.
- Boats can return starting on 10/10 (Saturday). All gangways are scheduled to be reinstalled by 10/9 except for 3920 because the gangway bracket sits directly on the unfinished pilaster.
Please note when Contractor needs access to drive the sheet piles for the foundation repair work at a later time, they will have to bring the gangway back down (one location at a time) and will notify the affected household so they can move their boat away to avoid the boat being damaged when the gangaway is being removed and reinstalled for the foundation repair work; please anticipate moving the boat to a temporary location for about 2 days. - One of two staging areas are getting cleaned up and is scheduled to be returned to the City by the end of next week 10/9.
One staging area is still needed to store construction materials to complete the remaining work until approximately the end of this December. - Contractor has work scheduled for next week 10/5 -10/9 for early morning work to remove formwork for the recently completed (8) pilaster concrete jackets. This is done during the low tide window, which will start at 1am. Letters are posted on the jobsite on both Napoli and Ravoli sides.
- Contractor has work scheduled for the week of 10/26 -10/30 in the late afternoon to start preparing for the foundation repair work. This will mostly be moving the riprap rocks aside from the seawall footing areas where sheet piles will need to be driven down. Low tide is required for this work which will start at 4pm and through the evening.
- Remaining seawall work is scheduled to be done during next extreme low tide opportunities at the end of November and December where the tides are expected to be below -1ft and a negative tide is necessary for the construction material to properly cure and adhere to the seawall.
Image 1 Work Status Updated as of 9/30/26
Work Status Updated as of 9/30/26
Pilaster Before and After
Pilaster Before and After
Sika Wall Before and After (West Hemlock, west end)
Sika Wall Before and After (West Hemlock, west end)
Quake Wrap (Hemlock east end before and after)
Quake Wrap (Hemlock east end before and after)
