Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Dunes an important part of hurricane protection
TOPSAIL VOICE
By Connie Pletl
SURF CITY – Dunes are for hurricane protection, not for long term erosion problems, NC Sea Grant’s Spenser Rogers told an audience at the Surf City Community Center last Wednesday.
Rogers was in Surf City to give a presentation about how beach and dune systems work.
Rogers explained that different types of erosion affect the beach, including seasonal, severe storm, long term and inlet erosion.
“The beach is not a stable pile of sand,” said Rogers. “It’s always moving and adjusting.”
Seasonal erosion is worst during the winter and inlet action can be quite bad, said Rogers, but hurricanes and storms cause severe erosion from which an area can take a long time to recover.
“Erosion is in a matter of hours; recovery is in a matter of years,” said Rogers.
To get hurricane protection, many towns along the North Carolina coast have sought beach nourishment projects.
Rogers explained that studies have been conducted showing that towns that have beach nourishment projects suffered less damage to their structures that those that didn’t have the projects.
However, he also said that beach projects come in all different sizes.
According to Rogers, smaller beach nourishment projects are useful for long term erosion problems but can offer poor hurricane protection compared to larger ones.
In comparison, beach nourishment projects done by the US Army Corps of Engineers are larger projects that are meant for hurricane protection, not long term erosion control.
It remains to be seen if the beach nourishment projects in North Carolina prove to be cost effective, said Rogers.
An important part of hurricane protection, whether a beach has a nourishment project or not, is its dune system.
“The bigger the dune, the best protection you’ve got,” said Rogers. “The smaller the dune, the less protection you’ve got.”
Dunes offer a temporary barrier to impede waves and tidal surges during a storm.
He said towns should work to ensure that walkways and beach accesses have ample space above the dunes so that they are not compromised.
He also noted that beach plants helped stabilize the dunes and trap sand.
“Dunes are features of the wind,” said Rogers, explaining that plants trapped blowing sand to create dunes.
Rogers said dune location was also very important. He said a big dune built next to the ocean could quickly wash away and offer little protection, while a smaller one strategically placed to incorporate the line of vegetation would last longer and offer more protection.
“The moral of the story is to be prepared if you live at the beach,” said Rogers.
The Topsail Island Association of Realtors and the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism hosted Rogers’ presentation.
Rogers was in Surf City to give a presentation about how beach and dune systems work.
Rogers explained that different types of erosion affect the beach, including seasonal, severe storm, long term and inlet erosion.
“The beach is not a stable pile of sand,” said Rogers. “It’s always moving and adjusting.”
Seasonal erosion is worst during the winter and inlet action can be quite bad, said Rogers, but hurricanes and storms cause severe erosion from which an area can take a long time to recover.
“Erosion is in a matter of hours; recovery is in a matter of years,” said Rogers.
To get hurricane protection, many towns along the North Carolina coast have sought beach nourishment projects.
Rogers explained that studies have been conducted showing that towns that have beach nourishment projects suffered less damage to their structures that those that didn’t have the projects.
However, he also said that beach projects come in all different sizes.
According to Rogers, smaller beach nourishment projects are useful for long term erosion problems but can offer poor hurricane protection compared to larger ones.
In comparison, beach nourishment projects done by the US Army Corps of Engineers are larger projects that are meant for hurricane protection, not long term erosion control.
It remains to be seen if the beach nourishment projects in North Carolina prove to be cost effective, said Rogers.
An important part of hurricane protection, whether a beach has a nourishment project or not, is its dune system.
“The bigger the dune, the best protection you’ve got,” said Rogers. “The smaller the dune, the less protection you’ve got.”
Dunes offer a temporary barrier to impede waves and tidal surges during a storm.
He said towns should work to ensure that walkways and beach accesses have ample space above the dunes so that they are not compromised.
He also noted that beach plants helped stabilize the dunes and trap sand.
“Dunes are features of the wind,” said Rogers, explaining that plants trapped blowing sand to create dunes.
Rogers said dune location was also very important. He said a big dune built next to the ocean could quickly wash away and offer little protection, while a smaller one strategically placed to incorporate the line of vegetation would last longer and offer more protection.
“The moral of the story is to be prepared if you live at the beach,” said Rogers.
The Topsail Island Association of Realtors and the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism hosted Rogers’ presentation.
 |
 |
|
| Topsail residents voice concerns about beach delay | Watercraft accident leaves 10-year-old child dead |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of carolinacoastonline.com.
RSS