Beach Nourishment: What It Is, Why It Matters

Beach nourishment describes a process by which sand lost through longshore drift or erosion is replaced from outside sources. This process is part of a wider coastal defense scheme to widen existing shorelines, thereby protecting upland infrastructure. In short, it is one way we keep Outer Banks beaches safe.

2017 OBX Beach Nourishment Plan

The Towns of Duck, Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills are planning a Beach Nourishment project scheduled for this year. During the project, the beaches will remain open, but access to certain areas will be restricted during actual construction.

At this time, the details including exact start dates and project duration are not known. Below is the proposed schedule. One month prior to project commencement, expect to see mobilization operations, including laying sub-line and assembling land-based machinery. Click the links for more town-specific information.

*Click above for interactive map of nourishment sites

Duck
Where: 1.7 miles of shoreline from Oyster Catcher Lane to Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility
Starts: Mid-to-late May
Ends: Mid-to-late July
Duration: 60 days

Kitty Hawk
Where: 3.58 miles of shoreline from Southern Shores to KDH town lines
Starts: Mid-June
Ends: Mid-August
Duration: 60 days

Kill Devil Hills
Where: 2.6 miles of shoreline from the Kitty Hawk town line to Prospect Avenue
Starts: Early August
Ends: Early-to-mid September
Duration: 35-45 days

Beach Nourishment Funding Plan

In March 2016, the Dare County Board of Commissioners accepted a bid in the amount of $38,820,540 from the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company.

The project will be paid for in part by Dare County’s beach nourishment fund which is sourced from a 2% occupancy tax collected by the county. Additional funding will be supplied from each town through tax revenue generated through several municipal service districts set up within the towns.

For more information, visit the town website nourishment page, More Beach To Love.