Carmel River State Beach

Each year, Carmel River State Beach builds up sand and severs the river from Monterey Bay. With nowhere to drain, the water from the river pools at the lagoon. It eventually breaks through the sand and flows into the ocean.

Public Works drains the lagoon by bulldozing part of the stretch of sand that blocks the river and the bay. That drain, however, and the fast-running water that sometimes ensues, can prematurely sweep juvenile steelhead out to sea.  

From: http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_22958452/monterey-county-looks-at-ways-reduce-flooding-at 
Art from: “The Lagoon at Carmel River Beach” by Murray Wagnon