Work to begin on largest man-made reef, expected to become a nursery for biological diversity

For the first time anywhere, scientists say they've designed an artificial reef north of San Diego County that should be able to sustain itself for decades.

The fruit of their research will start Monday, when crews will begin building the 150-acre Wheeler North Artificial Kelp Reef about half a mile off the coast of San Clemente. The project, meant to compensate for environmental damage caused by the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, will feature the largest-ever array of engineered reef structures.

Up to 125,000 tons of quarry rock will be placed across the ocean floor in irregular polygons that, on an engineer's blueprint, look like unjoined puzzle pieces. These shallow rock piles will serve as anchors for giant kelp, the ocean's fastest-growing algae that can reach 120 feet high...[SignOnSanDiego.com]