As a result, the coastline shifted hundreds of meters and undertook large scale geomorphic change, impacting sensitive habitat and reducing storm protection of the mainland. The hard structures altered natural sediment transportation processes and left downdrift beaches to suffer sand deficits and increased erosion rates. For example a system of jetties was constructed in the 1930’s to stabilize the Ocean City Inlet located along the barrier island at the north of what was to become Assateague Island National Seashore. Often, beach nourishment is needed to replenish sediment to counteract the erosional effects of hard-structure stabilization on nearby coastlines. Some replenishment projects aim to protect property by building berms or filling gaps in the dunes to absorb wave energy. Sediment is commonly dredged offshore and pumped directly onto the beach or dumped nearshore by a hopper dredge, or occasionally sourced from an inland location. A wider and higher beach can provide storm protection for coastal structures, create new habitat, and enhance the beach for recreation. Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland and Virginia.īeach nourishment is the process of placing additional sediment on a beach or in the nearshore. Beach nourishment at Assateague Island in 2002, added sediment and widened the beach.
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