GOLDEN ERA PRODUCTIONS FLOOD DEMAGE REPAIRS

The Gold Base is the International Headquarters of the Church of Scientology, located at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, near the city of San Jacinto, Riverside County, Southern California. The geography of the area is characterized mountains and hills conforming numerous canyons. The geology is mainly granitic rocks, often fragmented and mixed with fine soils. The San Jacinto Mountains, like the neighboring San Bernardino Mountains, are a humid island above the surrounding desert and semi-desert. Due to the dry conditions and to the highly erosive soils of the area, precipitations were causing erosion in the drainage channel adjacent to the property, exposing one of the access roads at risk and generating obstructions issues at culverts.

Albert A. Webb Associates designed a channel restoration project for the construction of flood damage repairs. The "Phase 1" consisted in a gabion lined flood channel, more precisely in a gabion anchored retaining wall for one side of the channel, with 1.5' thick gabion on the channel bed and a 1' thick Reno Mattresses on the opposite bank. Gabion structures stabilize the soil, control water velocities and provide a structural substrate for the growing of native flora species. Due to their flexibility, permeability, durability and environmentally friendly features, gabion structures are particularly suitable for this type of application, being able to accommodate differential settlements and providing a final natural looking to the project, along with other many benefits. Rock Structures Construction Company was contracted to complete the construction of the project. The result was an aesthetically pleasing and technically-sound structure. The gabion channel wall has withstood several events, without any issue. The Church of Scientology facilities were protected and could safely continue their operations.