Possible Artificail Reef?

I'm doing a speech tomorrow for a communications class about how unsuccessful dredging beaches is and how much money we waste shooting sand onto the beach every couple years. I looked into alternatives and of course I knew about that artificial surfing reef in India which also controls beach erosion (If you haven't seen the link.. http://vimeo.com/11274816) But anyways, I was on browsing the website of the company that built it and came across this.

http://www.asrltd.com/projects/new-jersey.php

Was it just a plan that never happened or are they planning it? Any word on this?

Don't know anything about that particular artificial reef, but this is definitely an interesting read for you.

http://www.theaesthetic.com/NewFiles/prattes.html

Lotsa history on this on the Left Coast, directly involving Surfrider Foundation and had an impact on surfers.

bump. anyone know if this is happening?

I always thought that the govt should build some type of reef whether it be for fishing and or surfing for every beach replenishment they propose. But I guess that would make govt officials creative and forward thinking

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Originally Posted by Sniffer

I always thought that the govt should build some type of reef whether it be for fishing and or surfing for every beach replenishment they propose. But I guess that would make govt officials creative and forward thinking

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My initial reaction is that of economics - it costs a lot less to dump rocks right off the beach than float them out into the ocean. Most tax payers aren't surfers so they don't care about the wave-creating aspects of a reef vs. jetty. And there are not many examples, no precedent, to illustrate that artificial reefs are better at protecting the beach (what tax payers DO care about) than jetty's. So we are stuck in a situation where money matters more than progress unfortunately.

but we're throwing millions of dollars away pumping sand back onto our beach's isn't it worth the try?

Wow... never heard of that one... sounds like a complete failure. I'm gonna pretend I didn't read that so my speech runs smoothly :D

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Originally Posted by kidrock

Don't know anything about that particular artificial reef, but this is definitely an interesting read for you.

http://www.theaesthetic.com/NewFiles/prattes.html

Lotsa history on this on the Left Coast, directly involving Surfrider Foundation and had an impact on surfers.

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There's no funding for it and since its a private company (ASR) you need a grant from an organization such as the SEA. Don't think the government would fund it, probably too "risky". I dunno. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I am aware, through a contact, that there has been research by coastal managment in new jersey about the benefits of a reef in coastal erosion management. Not sure if it will come into fruition or not, but I know it has been discussed.

I did a senior research paper on coastal erosion management, and it is pretty interesting to know how much money is spent, but of course it is a beneficial cost based on tourism dollars. There are certainly better approaches then others, for instance, sea walls can actually create more erosion rather then prevent it.

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Originally Posted by kidrock

Don't know anything about that particular artificial reef, but this is definitely an interesting read for you.

http://www.theaesthetic.com/NewFiles/prattes.html

Lotsa history on this on the Left Coast, directly involving Surfrider Foundation and had an impact on surfers.

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Pratte's Reef was a complete joke. When they first dropped the sandbags I swam out to check it and couldn't believe how small and close to shore it was. I have a hard time believeing that anyone who ever surfed thought that it would work.