Fairhope, Alabama.
CHRONIC EROSION PROBLEMS
City beaches, bulkheads and seawalls have taken their usual seasonal beating; and a significant portion of the sand placed last summer on north Magnolia Beach (near Pier St.) has already been washed away.
About 6,000 tons of sand were hauled in and deposited there: costing about $60,000.
(A citizen brought the problem to the council's attention last Spring -- click.)
Strong south winds preceding winter storms, combined with a wooden barrier (jetty) extending out into the water, seems to cause the water to build up in that cove -- and rise higher than adjacent areas.
MUNICIPAL BEACH TOO
Most of the replenishment-sand deposited on municipal beach north of the pier after hurricane Katrina has now been washed away as well; and the wooden seawall/bulkhead south of the pier further damaged and eroded.
Sink holes often open up near the wall, and the stairs repaired frequently.
IMPROVEMENTS TOO EXPENSIVE?
A regular beach-sand replenishment program like those in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores -- and replacing the pier seawall with a more environmentally-friendly "living shoreline" has been discussed at times by past city councils; but no action ever taken due to the costs involved.
Replacing the leaning seawall/bulkhead will cost about $110K -- but installing the living shoreline only about $50K more, according to media accounts in 2011 -- click.
Beach replenishment is on the discussion agenda for this Monday's council work session.
CHRONIC EROSION PROBLEMS
City beaches, bulkheads and seawalls have taken their usual seasonal beating; and a significant portion of the sand placed last summer on north Magnolia Beach (near Pier St.) has already been washed away.About 6,000 tons of sand were hauled in and deposited there: costing about $60,000.
(A citizen brought the problem to the council's attention last Spring -- click.)
Strong south winds preceding winter storms, combined with a wooden barrier (jetty) extending out into the water, seems to cause the water to build up in that cove -- and rise higher than adjacent areas.
MUNICIPAL BEACH TOO
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| "Living shoreline" here? |
Sink holes often open up near the wall, and the stairs repaired frequently.
IMPROVEMENTS TOO EXPENSIVE? A regular beach-sand replenishment program like those in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores -- and replacing the pier seawall with a more environmentally-friendly "living shoreline" has been discussed at times by past city councils; but no action ever taken due to the costs involved.
Replacing the leaning seawall/bulkhead will cost about $110K -- but installing the living shoreline only about $50K more, according to media accounts in 2011 -- click.
Beach replenishment is on the discussion agenda for this Monday's council work session.
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| N. Magnolia Beach, July 2014 after emergency repairs. |
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| Emergency beach repairs, June 2014. |
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