3 Major Methods of Shoreline Stabilization
Big Bags USA® barrier systems can help in a variety of engineering projects, including shoreline stabilization. Shoreline engineering refers to any method of changing or altering the natural shoreline system in order to stabilize it. Methods of shoreline stabilization can range from simply planting dune grass to the more complex placement of large seawalls. There are 3 major ways by which shorelines can be stabilized:
The most gentle approach to shoreline stabilization is replenishment. This method consists of pumping sand onto the beach and building up the former dunes and upper beach. Sufficient funds to replenish the entire beach are never available, so only the upper beach is covered. This creates a very steep beach, which often increases the rate of erosion. Beach replenishment upsets the natural system, is costly and temporary, requiring subsequent projects to remain effective. The Corps of Engineers refers to beach replenishment as an "ongoing" project. However, this method is usually less harmful to the total dynamic equilibrium than other methods.
Groins and jetties are walls built perpendicular to the shoreline. While a jetty is often very long and intended to keep sand from flowing into a ship channel, groins are smaller walls built on straight stretches of beach away from channels and inlets, intended to trap sand flowing in the longshore current. Groins can be made of many different materials including wood, stone, concrete, steel or even large polypropylene sandbags. These sandbags, such as the Big Bags USA® systems, are also commonly used in areas where beaches and property are threatened by inlet migration. Both jetties and groins are very successful at trapping sand. The only real issue is that while the groin is trapping sand on one beach, it is most likely keeping it from traveling to another beach, therefore causing erosion elsewhere.
Seawalls are built back from and parallel to the shoreline and can be found in almost every highly developed coastal area. They are designed to receive at least once the full impact of the sea during a tidal cycle. A common type of structure is the bulkhead, a type of seawall placed farther from the shoreline in front of the first dune. This structure is designed to take the impact of storm waves only. Building a seawall or bulkhead is a drastic method that can harm the environment in many ways, and should only be considered when all other methods have been ruled out.
If you're involved in a shoreline stabilization project or know someone who is, Big Bags USA® barrier systems can help! Our construction barriers can handle the highest demands at a fraction of the costs normally associated with rapid deployed systems. They have been field tested and proven against moving logs and ice-jams. The 6 mm thick polypropylene sandbags are made with the highest UV resistant polymers available to increase longevity in sunlight. The flexibility of the barrier allows the product to be used on any and all surfaces without the need for trenching or leveling to get a water-tight seal. Contact Big Bags USA® today at 800-337-0537 for more information on how we can help with your next big project!
Source: http://coastalcare.org/educate/shoreline-engineering/
1. Beach Replenishment
The most gentle approach to shoreline stabilization is replenishment. This method consists of pumping sand onto the beach and building up the former dunes and upper beach. Sufficient funds to replenish the entire beach are never available, so only the upper beach is covered. This creates a very steep beach, which often increases the rate of erosion. Beach replenishment upsets the natural system, is costly and temporary, requiring subsequent projects to remain effective. The Corps of Engineers refers to beach replenishment as an "ongoing" project. However, this method is usually less harmful to the total dynamic equilibrium than other methods.
2. Groins and Jetties
Groins and jetties are walls built perpendicular to the shoreline. While a jetty is often very long and intended to keep sand from flowing into a ship channel, groins are smaller walls built on straight stretches of beach away from channels and inlets, intended to trap sand flowing in the longshore current. Groins can be made of many different materials including wood, stone, concrete, steel or even large polypropylene sandbags. These sandbags, such as the Big Bags USA® systems, are also commonly used in areas where beaches and property are threatened by inlet migration. Both jetties and groins are very successful at trapping sand. The only real issue is that while the groin is trapping sand on one beach, it is most likely keeping it from traveling to another beach, therefore causing erosion elsewhere.
3. Seawalls
Seawalls are built back from and parallel to the shoreline and can be found in almost every highly developed coastal area. They are designed to receive at least once the full impact of the sea during a tidal cycle. A common type of structure is the bulkhead, a type of seawall placed farther from the shoreline in front of the first dune. This structure is designed to take the impact of storm waves only. Building a seawall or bulkhead is a drastic method that can harm the environment in many ways, and should only be considered when all other methods have been ruled out.
If you're involved in a shoreline stabilization project or know someone who is, Big Bags USA® barrier systems can help! Our construction barriers can handle the highest demands at a fraction of the costs normally associated with rapid deployed systems. They have been field tested and proven against moving logs and ice-jams. The 6 mm thick polypropylene sandbags are made with the highest UV resistant polymers available to increase longevity in sunlight. The flexibility of the barrier allows the product to be used on any and all surfaces without the need for trenching or leveling to get a water-tight seal. Contact Big Bags USA® today at 800-337-0537 for more information on how we can help with your next big project!
Source: http://coastalcare.org/educate/shoreline-engineering/
If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
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