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King tides are coming up on the Central Coast. Volunteers can help to document them.
Annie Kohut FrankelManager of the Coastal Commission‘s California King Tides Project, explained that these natural phenomena—the highest tides of the year—happen each winter.
“They’re predictable: When the sun, the Moon, and Earth are aligned, so the moon & the sun are amplifying gravitational pulling for more extreme waves,” Kohut Frankel stated. “How high the water is depends on whether there is an offshore storm or a swell. It can be particularly dramatic if it coincides with king tides.
The Central Coast experienced its first wave in king tides on Dec. 4/5 and Kohut Frankel stated that the next one will be Jan. 1, 2, 3 and 4. California King Tides Project encourages citizens to snap photos of high water levels and submit them to scientific research.
Kohut Frankel stated that the California King Tides Project has been in existence for approximately 10 years. “But, since 2018, we have been collecting them in maps. … We have tried to make the data more scientific over the years and be more specific about the location. This is data. [and]This makes them much more useful for planners and researchers.”
Although king tides can be described as natural phenomena, they can help us to understand how climate change will affect coastal communities. California King Tides Project encourages people to imagine a world in which these unusually high tides are a regular reality.
“There are many beaches that look white and sandy during the year but might be completely underwater during king tides. Kohut Frankel stated that there are places where roads flood and trails flood. “Morro Bay certainly has some State Parks land which floods during king tides predictable.” It’s important, and we document it because 1 to 2 feet is approximately what we expect to see in terms sea-level rise over the next few decades.
Anybody can contribute to the California King Tides Project if they submit photos with exact locations.
Kohut Frankel stated that it is creating a living record about our coast. It is important that people pay more attention to sea-level rise. It encourages people to talk about it with their family and friends, which is very powerful.
The Coastal Commission offers grants to local coastal governments that want to adapt to sea-level rising. Six rounds of funding Local Coastal ProgramSince 2014, grant funding has been awarded to local recipients, including San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County, Morro Bay and Pismo Beach. The deadline to submit grant applications for funding is Dec. 22.
• The inaugural Christmas on Main StreetDecember 18th, from 4-7 p.m., Templeton will host the event. The event is free and open to all. It will take place at Main and 8th Streets at the American Legion Hall. According to event organizers, children will be able to meet Santa Claus and parents can browse a craft fair featuring more than 30 local vendors. The whole family can also visit the Templeton 4-H petting Zoo. “The Templeton Recreation Department” will host a variety of children’s activities on Main and 6th Streets. Further down the street, you can enjoy Main Street Dance’s winter performance near their studio at Main Street and 2nd Streets. “Bring your family along and take a stroll down historic Main Street. Local shops and restaurants will be decorated with lights and holiday decor and will be serving special treats and extending their doors to the community. The Chamber of Commerce office, 321 Main St., will have a scavenger hunting map. “Find all trees to win a special Santa treat!”
• By staying at local hotels, San Luis Obispo visitors will be helping to plant trees in SLO through the new Keys to Trees program. “The San Luis Obispo Tourism Business Improvement DistrictAccording to the report, the company will plant trees in the community with 1 percent of its annual revenues.” SLO Chamber of Commerce. “The program is part in a new partnership with the Environmental Center San Luis Obispo, a local non-profit dedicated to protecting and conserving SLO’s natural resources. The goal is 10,000 trees planted by 2035. Donations can be made directly to tree-planting efforts by anyone who wishes to help. ecoslo.org/tree-support. Δ
Malea Martin, Staff Writer, can be reached at [email protected].
