The Sand

Yeah SOME reefs would be a great idea. But you do want to preserve some sand breaks as well. Everyone doesn't want to cool off in calm waters. People love the waves. That's why they go to the ocean! Not all of our swells are ideal for rock reefs.(this isn't the west coast with consistent longer period stuff) I'd say we would lose at least 60% of rideable days without sand breaks and sand breaks are fun! A combo of both would be cool and the jersey coast would benefit greatly for surfers from having a few rock reefs/point breaks that could handle the longer period stuff when it does come in

 

I agree with you completely. I'm not saying that we should cover our entire coast. Do half mile sections with different configurations. We could also leave in the existing jetties with gaps on each side of them. So basically the point of the A frame would be mid beach and the wave would empty out toward the jetties. You would also leave gaps between the jetties and the Reef to act as channels for the water to drain. If these structures are set up strategically along the coast allot of the long shore sand drift could be drastically reduced.

 

Everyone on here really makes some great points. However, we can fuss and fight over which ways are better to retain sand and build up dunes or what have you but the main thing is we created these problems for ourselves. We are building on islands which have been created by mother nature and can be taken away just the same. These islands are there as a natural defense as the everglades are in Florida to defend against water surge into real inland land of New Jersey. We are pushing the limits as to what we can "pull over" on mother nature. These dunes are not natural features they seem to work to an extent but they are not full proof. I heard about a couple who fought the build up of dunes because it took away from the aesthetic value of their property in that the view was obstructed. They ended up winning in court and were awarded a sum of money. These barrier islands are ways we taunt mother nature. These are basically big targets for storms like this and these storms are only going to get worse. We pump so much money into restoring these islands and building them up and they are torn back down. Don't get me wrong I love going to these islands and its an awesome feeling im sure to live so close to the ocean and nature in itself but if you live here you are putting yourself in harms way. Storms will continue to grow stronger and larger (no matter if you believe we are creating global warming or not) its there. The science behind sea level rise and warmer oceans is there and these variables give way to stronger storms. Although I don't believe that these areas should have ever been developed rather they should have been kept as natural landscapes which people could visit and admire for the landscape, the fact is that we have done this to ourselves and we can't turn back time. People will continue to build in places that are not ideal. So we have to figure out ways to adapt and building the beaches up is a way to try and defend against these storms but sometimes I believe it does more harm then good. I have seen many beaches which are built up and create HUGE hazards with backwashing into waves causing a dangerous bathing environment. Essentially we can continue to try and figure out ways to battle against the natural forces of nature but we will most certaintly always fall short somehow leading to a loss of property and life unfortunately. People need to start looking more into where they build their homes and if they would want to take the risk of losing property and even lives to live within a few feet of an ocean that can go from peaceful to destructive in just a few hours.

 

I almost hate to agree with everyone but, Lefty you are correct. Now that being said there, is no way things will change in that direction. People will continue to build on these islands till the ocean takes them back, and when that happens people will be building new islands to build there houses on. The reef idea is new approach to solve most of the problems. I’m sure new problems will pop up that we did not foresee if we went in that direction. I'm just suggesting think more like nature functions.

 

The future?

 

I think you're right. And a lot of other people... more informed people than you and me... think you're right, too. I've said this here before, but it bears repeating - a single artificial reef won't do what we need to be done here in NJ. It requires an entire reef SYSTEM, engineered with all the factors in mind... sediment transport, offshore bathymetry, predominant wind and wave size/ direction, shoreline contours, grain size, sediment sources... all factored into the bigger picture of shoreline stabilization. And the model for this system is nature, and they're all over the world. It won't be easy, and it won't be cheap. But neither are miles of sea walls, jetties built only to be torn apart, the cost of rebuilding after storms, sand pumping... and all of the endless, repetitive, cyclical costs of business as usual. We need a more sustainable approach to shoreline protection, and we need all stakeholders to buy in... literally and figuratively.

The artificial reef concept is not new. It's been done many times, in many places, with varying degrees of effectiveness. Even here in NJ. We need to move forward with that technology, and expand it from simple beach stabilization, to habitat and resource conservation and augmentation. And that includes fishing and surfing.

We still need to pump sand. We've cut of the source of sand, so we need to create a new source of sand... offshore sand supplies, or sources of sand where there's too much being deposited onto beaches and in navigable inlets. But we need hard structures to help keep that sand in place. And it can and has been done. Jetties, patch reefs, ribbon reefs, even sections of sea wall... all need to come together in a LOCATION SPECIFIC plan for each critical zone that's been identified up and down the shore. Will there be unforseen consequences? Maybe. But we can put the odds in our favor with sound science and proven designs.