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US Army Corps of Engineers

Norfolk District Website

/ / /

Sandbridge Beach Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project

Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Published June 6, 2019

Updated: June 6, 2019

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The hopper dredge BE Lindholm is anchored off the coast while dozers move sand that was dredged from the ocean's floor, Virginia Beach, Virginia, April 11, 2013. The $13.3 million non-federal project included the dredging and placement of approximately 2 million cubic yards of sand along public beachfront from Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to the Dam Neck Naval facility, Virginia. (U.S. Army courtesy photo)

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Background
The Sandbridge Beach Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project is a critical storm damage reduction project, which lessens risk to this section of the city of Virginia Beach. The project consists of a sacrificial beach berm with an average width of 50 feet and elevation of 6 feet National Geodetic Vertical Datum. The 725-foot-wide, 5-mile project area stretches from the Dam Neck Fleet Training Center to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

The beach is a natural sacrificial barrier designed to absorb wave energy during coastal storms and naturally erode away over time, requiring maintenance through renourishment.

Each nourishment can vary and depends on the current condition at the start of the cycle. The current cycle approximately 5-7 years depending on funds availability and beach condition. The initial beach fill occurred in 2003 and nourishments took place in 2007 and 2013.

Scope
Equipment mobilization for the 2020 renourishment cycle is slated from mid-February to the beginning of March at Little Island Park. Sand-borrow and placement procedures are scheduled to start after mobilization and planned for completion in May.

This nourishment was funded through a Contributed Funds Agreement with the city of Virginia Beach and is 100% nonfederal funds. The contract is $20.3million and includes placement of about 1.7 million cubic yards of sand.

The previous maintenance period was completed in 2013.

Authorization
Authorized by Section 101(22) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992, Public Law 102-580, as amended.