Delaware North Side IRI Sand Pumping

Its a double edge sword, the new groin saved Herring Point while NS Jetty @ IRI staves our surf beach of sand. Maybe "soft" structures like Sand Tubes that have been used successfully in Florida might be a future discussion point over hard structures. The Sand tubes (soft structures) are basically nylon tubes filled with sand laid on the sandy bottom paralleled to each other, sand collects in between the tubes and outside the tubes creating a sand bar. I'm not saying its the answer but an option to be studied as there is other "science" related solutions that have been applied on our coasts including world wide coastal engineering so we're not stuck on or too prior "structures" mentally of our region.

 

I thought the "sea wall" option was an option for the old bridge but if not have not seen it raise it ugly head in any resent Docs since the new bridge was erected. Now as far as "L" shape jetty or groins and even "T" shape groins that were built in Cape May New Jersey. These type of structures are now considered "old School" as they fix a problem on one end of the jetty/groin and creates another problem on the other end of the jetty/groin.

The Army Corp. has never done a "dye" study how the sand is traveling around Northside Jetty. We know the Jetty has leaks and prior studies cited sand migrates around the tip of the jetty into the inlet. It's no secret its happening but how bad is it ?? You have to ask yourself if the Army Corp had done a "Dye" study then they're stuck with results and another problem they have to live with or Do Nothing approach. Washington State has a similar narrow navigational (double) Jetty with same long shore drift of sand as Northside. So one side of beach is starved and won't retain sand. The Army Corp. did a "dye" study, sand traveling around the jetty into the Inlet starving "drift side"of jetty the ability to retain sand. The Army Corp. scientific Division is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, they have done some interesting studies on groin/Jetty design to interact and/or counter act sand movement in the desired direction. One example is the use of "spurs" or a hook on the end of a groin/jetty to direct the sand outward away from mouth of an Inlet. This study has concluded the sand directed away from the Inlet mouth also formed a "bar" or re-enters the "long shore drift". So straight line jetty designs are from the "dinosaur" era of coastal engineering as multiple designs have been studied so the "science" does exist so raising another question. I'm about as dumb as a Bucket of Rocks so if I can find this stuff and somehow figure some of it out then why isn't the Army Corp. applying their own "science" to resolve these problems for us ?

You have to be tired of me by now

 

An elected politician, shortly after Sandy, suggested a breakwater or seawall to protect the north side approach road. It was in a news article, not official documentation as far as I am concerned.

The north side approach road should be a mile + long causeway road backfilled with sand, oceanside dune structure and plantings, IMO.

 

Which elected officials are on the record in favor of a seawall or breakwater/L-shaped jetty?
We should, as you suggested, make a concerted effort to schedule a town hall meeting with them, assuming we can assemble a large enough contingency. You are absolutely correct that the legislators and gubernatorial staff will ultimately make the decisions and direct DNREC and Congressional members and staff have SOME control over Army Corps and we should direct our efforts there as well.

 

My deepest thanks to you all working to protect the spot. IRI has been so fickle the last couple of years. I was struck a few weeks back that even Dewy and Rehoboth seemed like they had some rideable waves. Anyway again my thanks to those looking out for the spots.