Blog

Recent coverage from the San Francisco Chronicle highlights an ongoing Coastal Flood Advisory affecting low-lying shorelines across the San Francisco Bay Area, Marin County, and surrounding coastal regions. High astronomical tides, coupled with thermal expansion from warmer ocean temperatures and localized surge, are bringing elevated water levels and saltwater overtopping along waterfront roads, seawalls, and estuarine shorelines.

While storm systems are not the primary driver of this event, the combination of peak high tides and high sea surface anomalies serves as an important operational reminder for shellfish growers, estuarine farmers, and coastal marine facilities throughout Northern California.

Key Takeaways for Aquaculture Producers

• Elevated Water Levels & Access Hazards: High tide events in low-lying coastal areas – especially around Tomales Bay, San Pablo Bay, and Southern Marin – can flood access roads, staging grounds, and parking areas, disrupting harvest schedules and product transport.
• Working Waterfront Infrastructure: Saltwater overtopping docks and piers increases wear on electrical systems, pumps, and land-based nursery infrastructure.
• Gear & Mooring Integrity: Higher water levels combined with tidal currents increase strain on longlines, floating bags, rafts, and dock ties.
• Environmental & Salinity Variations: Thermal expansion and oceanic shifts associated with broader climate and El Niño patterns emphasize the changing baselines coastal producers navigate year-round.

Operational Checklist for Coastal Operations

• Secure Floating & Suspended Gear: Double-check moorings, anchors, and counterweights on floating upwellers, rafts, and longline arrays to handle higher-than-normal water baselines and strong ebb flows.
• Inspect Shoreline Facilities: Verify that land-based intake pumps, generators, and electrical connections at processing sites or nurseries are elevated above local surge thresholds.
• Plan Transportation & Access Routes: Monitor Caltrans (511.org) and local emergency alerts for tide-related road closures along coastal highways and boat ramp facilities prior to early-morning harvests.
• Track Local Tide Gauges: Utilize real-time ocean data via NOAA Tides & Currents to track verified vs. predicted water levels at your nearest monitoring station.