Beach reclamation is often accomplished through a process called dredging. Dredging is the process of scooping sand or other landfill from the bottom of a water source and pumping the material back on land to re-create a larger beach area. Dredging utilizes a vacuum-like device mounted on a barge and pumping the recovered sand through a pipeline back to the existing beach area.
Once the sand is obtained, it is either spread directly at the site, or cleaned through a heat process and then deposited back to the existing beach area. The newly deposited sand extends the shoreline to its original borders or even extends the beach further into the body of water.
Prior to beach replenishment the shoreline at this particular location was located approximately at ground zero for this cache and was encroaching near some of the local residences putting them in danger from coastal storms.
After the reclamation was accomplished, the shoreline was located two to three hundred feet further away from existing structures, protecting them from damage caused by coastal storms as well as providing a clean recreation area on the beach. As you visit the site, you can view the re-establishment of the beach area including the development of new dunes and native beach plant species such as sea oats.
The purpose of beach reclamation is to protect properties from storm damage, extend beaches for public use, and to re-establish sand bars (also protection from storms).
In order to claim this earthcache, send me an e-mail with the answers to the two following questions:
1. Estimate the depth of the reclaimed beach from the posted coordinates to the high water line at N 27 32.223 W 082 44.745; and
2. Describe the number of newly established dunes from ground zero to the high water line.
If you wish, post a picture of the recovered beach area showing the new dunes and sea oats.
Congratulations to TaTaFN and HamBonesGPS for being the first to log this earthcache!
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