Low water at Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard

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Channel Islands Harbor Entrance

Local Notice to Mariners 11032009, which was published last week, shows lower depths than we are used to in the Channel Islands Harbor entrance. We used to see 15 in the main channel. That’s 12 now. And we used to have 13+ into the heart of the harbor, but that’s all listed at 8 now.

So, if you’ve got a boat that draws 7.5, lookout for the minus tides. You’re going to plow a furrow. Those of us with 6 foot draft should usually be safe, BUT a note in the new chart says rapid shoaling is a factor in our harbor.

Words to the prudent: Know when low tide is, how low it is going to be and keep an eye on your depth gauge – and keep your speed down. If you creep along and then find you’re adding power to maintain way. Stop. Back out. Wait for the tide to come back in.

PS: Recent LNM‘s have also noted that we’ll have the dredge with us into the spring. A friend of ours found themselves locked out of the harbor around sunset this week as the dredge repositioned. You can contact dredge H.R. Morris on #16 for passing instructions.

And finally, this from the Navy -

The U.S. Navy advises navigation interests and others that continuous guided-missile firing operations may take place in the Pacific Missile Range,
Point Mugu, California, Sea Test Range, Monday through Sunday. The test area extends for 170 miles in a SW direction from Point Mugu and is up
to 100 miles wide. The specific danger portions of the firing area are broadcast by the Navy daily Monday through Friday at 0900 and 1200 on
2638 kHz, 2738 kHz, and VHF-FM chan. 16. For more details or comments contact PLEAD Control at 805-989-8841, or after 1600 at 805-816-
0792.

3 thoughts on “Low water at Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard”

  1. Thats odd that they spent so long in the outer part of the basin this Fall only to have 8 feet. Me thinks we are seeing the Seabridge effect. Given how bad the current is at the fuel dock since they opened up the back it makes sense though. I wonder how the tall ships are going to come in anymore ?

  2. Interesting stuff. Chris may be on the right track–perhaps we can get the dredge to dump his tailings over at Seabridge….

  3. If this is evidence of the current rate of schoaling I don’t see how they will ever keep up with it. Perhaps we should all buy stock in the H.R. Morris?