Frequently Asked Questions
For most of the year, only one trash boom is installed, allowing boats and rowers to travel through the creek. During storms or high-trash flow events, a second boom is temporarily deployed, which may limit access past the Interceptor. Once the storm subsides and cleanup is complete, the second boom is removed, and access is restored.
There are several reasons why the Interceptor’s second boom may remain deployed when it is not raining.
The transport of trash within Ballona Creek is affected by rainstorms and tidal influence. Flows from rainstorms carry trash and debris downstream towards the Interceptor and the ocean. Tidal influence can push trash and debris upstream before it can be collected by the Interceptor or back downstream towards the ocean. As trash travels within the creek, some trash and debris can end up on the banks and remain there until a high tide lifts the trash back into the creek. These cycles of high and low tides can cause large amounts of trash to remain in the creek long after a storm has passed. To prevent that trash and debris from reaching the ocean, the second boom remains deployed to help direct the trash to the Interceptor for collection.
The second boom remains available and ready for deployment as needed throughout the year and may also remain deployed if additional storms are forecasted in the near future.
A notification is posted on our homepage whenever both booms are deployed. In addition, email notices are sent approximately 48 hours before the deployment of the second boom. If you would like to receive those updates, please email us at BallonaInterceptor@pw.lacounty.gov to be added to the mailing list.
In addition to the Interceptor, a permanent trash boom remains in place upstream at Lincoln Boulevard. LA County Public Works also maintains a contract for routine trash removal along the banks of Ballona Creek. Public Works has also supported outreach efforts to raise awareness about litter prevention. Other jurisdictions within the Ballona Creek watershed also maintain programs and infrastructure to help prevent trash from entering the creek.
The conveyor belt on the Interceptor moves at a slow speed, giving animals ample time to return to the water. Additionally, holes in the conveyor belt allow small animals to pass through the belt and reenter the water should they interact with it.
The interceptor is approximately 74’ long, 29’ wide, and 18.5’ tall.
The cost of designing and permitting was approximately $1.3M. Construction of the moorings to secure the Interceptor and booms in place cost approximately $1.5M. During the Pilot Project, the Interceptor was provided to the Los Angeles County Flood Control District by The Ocean Cleanup for use at no cost. Ownership of the Interceptor was transferred to the Los Angeles County Flood Control District following the conclusion of the Pilot Project.
It costs approximately $550,000 per year to operate and maintain the Interceptor. Actual yearly costs vary depending on rainfall and overall operational needs.
The number of offloads varies from year to year and depends heavily on rainfall. Storms are responsible for bringing the majority of trash down Ballona Creek, and the Interceptor is typically offloaded after significant rain events. During the 2022–2023 water year, the Interceptor was offloaded 15 times. In contrast, the 2023–2024 water year saw 5 offloads. During drier months, offloading occurs much less frequently and only as needed.
Trash collected by the Interceptor is offloaded in Marina del Rey. From there, it’s transported to a solid waste facility for proper disposal.
The Interceptor is solar powered and operates autonomously to collect debris from the water. When activated, it periodically runs its conveyor belt to extract trash from the water, onto the shuttle, and into dumpsters on a detachable barge. Crews are able to remotely monitor the system and check the status of the bins, then offload the barge when the dumpsters are full.
The Interceptor in Ballona Creek is the first and only one deployed in the United States. The Ocean Cleanup maintains a dashboard showing all Interceptor projects that are deployed or in development at https://theoceancleanup.com/dashboard/.
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