Grand Strand Renourishment

The Grand Strand Beach Renourishment project began in November 2007 and is expected to be complete within 400 days.  The project is divided into three reaches and will proceed from south to north, covering Garden City/Surfside, Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach, respectively (see map).  Beach sand will be collected from three borrow sites located approximately 5 km offshore, one per reach, and are listed from south to north as Surfside, Cane South, and Little River.  Beach nourishment will provide protection for beachfront properties against storms and provide a wide dry sand beach for visitors, but will also impact approximately 40 km of coastline and nearshore environment and 7.5 km2 of offshore habitat (5 km offshore).  Additionally, limited sources of beach compatable sand in this economically critical region of the state suggests a need for detailed understanding of coastal processes, coastal engineering, and their biological, economical, and geological impacts.

Coastal Carolina University’s BERM program is responsible for collecting pre and post renourishment surveys of beach profiles, the subaerial beach, and borrow sites.  In addition, BERM maintains beach cameras in Surfside, Myrtle Beach, and North Myrtle Beach to monitor the project.  Click on link below to watch the renourishment at Surfside Beach from January 2008.

Click on image to see movie of renourishment in Surfside Beach	Click on image to see larger image of renourishment

Click here to open a map of the planned renourishment.