Land Movement Update

City to Begin Work on Emergency Hydraugers 

At last night’s meeting, the City Council approved construction contracts for two emergency dewatering wells — also called hydraugers — that will remove water underground in the Portuguese Bend Landslide complex to slow damaging land movement.

With the contracts now in place, the project team can begin work on the next steps. In the coming weeks, boreholes will be drilled 150 feet or more underground to gather data to validate computer modeling assumptions and better estimate the quantity and quality of groundwater to be removed. This process is expected to take 2-3 weeks to complete. Based on the data, the project team will update the computer model key assumptions and design calculations.

Each hydrauger consists of an array of five directionally-drilled drains that extend up to about 1,200 feet, plus temporary water storage tanks and drainage discharge lines, as shown in the diagram below. 

One well will be installed near Burma Road at the north end of the landslide complex, and the other will be installed on the south end at one of two potential locations: in the Portuguese Bend Beach Club near Yacht Harbor Drive and Seawall Road, or in the turnout area along Palos Verdes Drive South formerly known as “Gateway Park.”

The hydrauger on the south side will be drilled first, and the hydrauger on the north side will be drilled second. Construction of each is expected to last 6-8 weeks.

The City will seek reimbursement under the federal disaster declaration related to February’s storms and explore additional funding opportunities to help offset costs for this $9.6 million project.

For more information on the project plans, read the May 7 City Council staff report (PDF) and watch the City Council meeting video.

Geologist Update

During the meeting, the City’s geologist, Mike Phipps of Cotton, Shires and Associates, presented the latest GPS monitoring survey data, noting that the landslides are now moving by inches per week – 76% above velocity from January-March.

Compared to measurements from November 2019, average land movement velocities have increased 95x, 31x and 41x for the Abalone Cove, Portuguese Bend, and Klondike Canyon Landslides, respectively.

Maps showing the latest movement data collected through mid-April are available on the Land Movement page.

City Council Explores Financial Assistance Packages for Agencies

The City Council continues to explore potentially providing financial assistance to the Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District (KCLAD) and Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District (ACLAD) to assist them complete landslide mitigation work. KCLAD has requested a $1.9 million loan to implement a five-step landslide mitigation plan, and ACLAD plans to request a loan in an amount to be determined, as its mitigation plan is being finalized. Any assistance would be contingent on the plans being endorsed by a licensed geotechnical engineering company. The assistance packages will be presented to the Council at a future meeting. Additionally, last night, the Council directed City staff to further vet a request from the Portuguese Bend Community Association — which maintains roads in the private community — for a nearly $500,000 loan to fund unforeseen road repairs due to land movement.

Local Emergency Declaration Extended

Finally, the Council extended the City’s local emergency declaration in the landslide complex through July 6. The declaration must be renewed every 60 days to remain in effect. 

Senator Allen Tours Landslide Complex, Wayfarers Chapel

On May 3, Senator Ben Allen visited RPV for an up-close look the latest conditions in the Portuguese Bend Landslide complex. City Manager Ara Mihranian and leaders from the City’s geological hazard abatement districts led the Senator and his staff on a tour of the Portuguese Bend and Seaview neighborhoods, the Portuguese Bend Beach Club, and Wayfarers Chapel to see the progression of damage that is expected to continue following another heavy rainy season. The City thanks Senator Allen for his attention and support helping us respond to this crisis and for introducing Senate Bill (SB) No. 1461, which would add "landslide" as a condition constituting a state of emergency or local emergency in the Emergency Services Act.

Media Inquiries

If you have a media inquiry related to land movement in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, please contact the City's communications partner, Tripepi Smith, with your questions, at RPVMedia@TripepiSmith.com. They will also add you to our media list so you receive our listserv updates, press releases and media advisories.