El Nino May Have Claimed Aliso Pier

Aliso Pier suffered so much damage in this winter’s storms that the Orange County landmark may be beyond repair and require demolition and rebuilding, according to a study released Thursday.

Surf as high as 20 feet has pounded the pier, causing cracks in a quarter of its massive concrete pilings. County officials closed the pier this month after they noticed that it swayed when big waves hit it.

The cracks are so extensive that replacing the pilings probably would be more expensive than building a new pier and might not make it structurally sound, engineers said in a preliminary report. A new pier would cost at least $5 million.

“Long-term repairs would be difficult if not impossible,” said Larry Paul, manager of coastal facilities for the county’s Harbors, Beaches and Parks Division. “We are faced with removing that pier and coming back with a new structure if we have sufficient funding.”

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The grim forecast came as a shock to nearby residents and beach-goers, who described the pier as an ideal spot for fishing, strolling and people-watching.

“I wish they will rebuild it,” said Sam Romero of Santa Ana, who recalled catching sand bass off the pier 20 years ago.

Supervisor Tom Wilson, who represents the area, said the county should seek emergency disaster aid from the state and federal governments to help pay for a new pier.

“It’s a place where I’ve enjoyed some beautiful sunsets,” Wilson said. “It’s something that our residents are going to miss if the pier is torn down and a new one is not put up in an expeditious manner. . . . This needs to be one of our top priorities.”

Aliso Pier, with its distinctive diamond-shaped fishing area at the end, was built in 1971 as the centerpiece of a 4.2-acre public beach development that included a parking lot off South Coast Highway.

The 660-foot structure is one of the shorter and higher piers in Orange County. The deck rises 35 feet from the water, held up by dozens of concrete pilings with steel rods at their centers.

In 1983 and 1986, El Nino storms extensively damaged the pier. By 1987, the concrete cracking had become such a problem that the county closed it for more than two years and began a $1.2-million reconstruction project.

But officials said the damage this time is much more severe. Chunks of concrete have fallen off the pier, and the pilings have eroded so badly that, in some cases, the steel rods are exposed.

The county could try to repair the pier by filling in cracks. But Paul said engineers aren’t sure such patchwork would make the pier structurally sound. Replacing damaged pilings probably would be expensive, because the pier deck would have to be lifted somehow while each leg was replaced, he said.

“It has served a useful life,” Paul added. “But the preliminary indications are it is going to have to be removed.”

Aliso is the latest of several Orange County piers to experience heavy damage.

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A hurricane in 1939 demolished the Newport and San Clemente piers and tore Huntington Beach Pier in half. In the mid-1980s, the Seal Beach and Huntington Beach piers were ripped apart by winter storms and needed extensive reconstruction.

Concrete piers like Aliso have dotted the California coast for more than 40 years and are considered stronger than old wood piers. But officials aren’t sure what their expected life span is.

Beach-goers said they hold fond memories of Aliso Pier and hope it is rebuilt.

“My friends and I really liked that diamond shape at the end. That is very fun to jump off of,” said Josh Wright, a member of the Surfrider Foundation in San Clemente. “Now that I know it may be getting broken down, I think we’re going to have to go and jump off one more time.”

Paul, however, said the pier will remain off-limits. Engineers still are working to determine how stable it is. Officials said the pier does not appear to be in any danger of collapse, but it is not safe enough for public use.

“With the constant pounding of the waves, the public should stay away,” Paul said. “We’ve seen the pier sway from side to side with heavy surf. That concerns us greatly because a concrete pier isn’t supposed to have that kind of give.”

* LAGUNA AFTERMATH: Rim Rock residents blame city, water district. B1