CITY FOCUS:

A crumbling levee near the Bolsa Chica wetlands held up fine after two consecutive weekend rainstorms, county flood control officials said. But runoff from the rain raised bacteria levels in local waters, contributing to warnings of unhealthy water conditions for a portion of Huntington State Beach after a sewage spill.

Emergency work to shore up the East Garden Grove-Wintersburg Flood Control Channel has been delayed till early January, said Nadeem Majaj, flood control division manager for the county. In the meantime, flood control workers patrol the area throughout any major storm to make sure it holds up.

Patrols this weekend showed there was little to worry about when an inch of rain falls over 24 hours, he said.

“There was hardly much water in the channel,” Majaj said. “We probably had about 2 to 3 feet, and it was not higher than the adjacent ground. In this size storm we probably don’t need to monitor it constantly.”

It’s when the flood channel fills past halfway that people should be worried, he said. That’s when holes burrowed by squirrels and other wildlife could give water a way to erode the berm from the inside out, he said.

Work was delayed as high-grade steel sheets had to be custom-manufactured on the East Coast, Majaj said. But construction was expected to take about 90 days after it begins in early January, he said. In the meantime, patrols will continue and flood control plans are in place, he added.

“We have our eyes on this channel,” he said. “We’re concerned, and we do have contingency plans. Patrols will continue until the last piece of sheet pile is placed.”

As for bacteria levels in the ocean, the warning included 500 feet north and south of Magnolia Street.

The spill was caused by a line break at a private vessel pump-out station, according to a news release from the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Parts of Newport Harbor were closed. Other beach warnings include all of Dana Point Harbor, Capistrano Beach, Capistrano Bay District and parts of San Clemente to the south.

Long-term effects are expected due to urban runoff from the previous storms this past weekend.

In other areas the bacteria levels near storm drains can become quite toxic, especially considering the runoff from the Santiago Canyon fire in October.

Beach visitors are strongly advised to avoid contact with bay water in those areas, officials said.

To report an illness call (714) 433-6280 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or to report a sewage spill call (714) 433-6419 during business hours and (714) 628-7008 after. Or visit www.ocbeachinfo.com.