The Corps of Engineers has just completed the Ocean Isle Beach beach renourishment project which also included the dredging of Shallotte Inlet aiding navigation.
More than 500,000 cubic yards of sand was placed on the Ocean Isle Beach strand during May 2010.
The project removed sand from a sand bar in the Shallotte River Inlet (near the waterway between Ocean Isle and Holden Beach) and moved the sand to the east end of the beach.
Also the widened beach at the east end will offer additional recreational benefits such as sunbathing, fishing and shelling, also the extra sand will create extra nesting habitat for sea turtles.
It was important that the project be completed by May 21st in order to not interfere with loggerhead turtles’ nesting season.
Mayor Debbie Smith said it is the largest project of the year.
The renourishment project, which is in conjunction with Carolina, Kure and Wrightsville Beaches, brought 509,200 cubic yards of sand to the beach, according to the town’s Web site. The sand was placed as far east as Shallotte Boulevard and as far west as Concord Street.
“This goes the furthest west than any renourishment has gone since original construction in 2001,” Smith said.
Ocean Isle Beach has contracted with the Corps of Engineers in a 50-year, $150 million contract for beach renourishment.
