Artificial Surfing Reef proposed in Florida

[Admin]

Will artificial surfing reefs create the next good surf breaks.

This thread is a Discussion in response to the following Swellinfo news Article
http://www.swellinfo.com/surfnews/vo...cial-reef.html

This article was submitted to the Swellinfo Surf News section on March 15, 2009

[DOUG BIXBY]

where at in volusia co. Thats my home toown.
thanks doug b.

[Swellinfo]

dont know where exactly they are talking about building the reef.

[stealneal]

This could be a good thing for surfing, but to have a positive outcome for the cost benefit aspect the reef would have to be huge(not all that the wide but longer)to save the beaches from erosion and such. If they have the money to create such a large reef, then they should go ahead and do it...it will pay off in the long run

[Swellinfo]

This could be a good thing for surfing, but to have a positive outcome for the cost benefit aspect the reef would have to be huge(not all that the wide but longer)to save the beaches from erosion and such. If they have the money to create such a large reef, then they should go ahead and do it...it will pay off in the long run

I don't know the research on the subject, but my guess is that on offshore reef would be much more beneficial to beach preservation (minimization of coastal erosion), then any jetty or beach replenishment plan.

[mitchell]

This could be a good thing for surfing, but to have a positive outcome for the cost benefit aspect the reef would have to be huge(not all that the wide but longer)to save the beaches from erosion and such.

Yeah unfortunatley there are two big drawbacks for surfing reefs as a cost effective erosion control structure as opposed to beach replenishment for east coast barrier beach settings -

1) They generally only protect a small strip of beach from erosion in an area with miles of eroding beaches so pumping still needed elsewhere.

2) Reef dont create more sand, they alter sand movement patterns. So the sand that would build up behind the reef-protected section means less sand for the downdrift beach (like a jetty basically) so pumping still needed.

[Swellinfo]

makes sense Mitchell.

Perhaps the cost isn't that much? Where it is worth it to create a small area that is more protected from erosion, and producing recreational value on the small stretch of beach and as a surfing break.

[Joshuatree]

I think its funny that Pepole in Volusia county are just now getting on the reef band wagon. LOL As a Cocoa Beach resident yall had better get in line. We have been pushing for the reef for years, we have received money from the state which was matched by the locals to do research and decide on a spot here in cocoa beach which has now been determined. Now we need the funding to build the reef and with the way the economy is and the financial markets don't hold your breath when it comes recieving a single dollar from the state. There will be a reef in Cocoa Beach before Volusia county I hate to tell yall that but we have been pusing for this for YEARS and we are just now on the verge of maybe getting it. With its 2-3 million dollar price tag don't look for the state to give yall any money for research or development. We had to match every penny that the govermnet and state was willing to give in order just to continue with the rersearch here in Cocoa Beach, and that was before the whole economic meltdown. Now they won't match a thing. No worry's, when the reef is done here in Cocoa beach y'all can come check it out. Also here the link to the reef project...http://www.spacecoastreef.com/index_...e_11-21-08.pdf

[mitchell]

makes sense Mitchell.

Perhaps the cost isn't that much? Where it is worth it to create a small area that is more protected from erosion, and producing recreational value on the small stretch of beach and as a surfing break.

Unfortunately for those of us who think beach nourishment is wrecking a lot of surfing opportunities (as an aside - I can't believe this isn't issue #1 for every east coast chapter of the surfrider Foundation), sand pumping is relatively cheap complared to rock, engineering, and construction of a reef. I think building the reef out of sand filled geotextile tubes would be the least costly option and could easily be removed if things dont work out, as with Prattes in SoCAL.

As far as location goes, i think locations like the north side of IRI (where the bridge was threatened but vacant land to the north where erosion is no big deal) or Cape Hatteras Lighthouse where you've got a need to control erosion at a specific location, but not elsewhere. Also, both locations are already recreation areas with parking access, and swimmers arent an issue. Of course those erosion problems are already being addressed in other ways.

[ClemsonSurf]

I'm totally uneducated on the subject but how deep would they place the reef? After that, how high would it need to be built from the ground to effectively be considered a reef?

Hypothetically, if the water was 20 feet deep and I could sink a 100 yard barrier that was 10 feet high would that be a reef that would be able to create good waves?