Beach Renourishment
Not only do Horry County beaches support tourism and the local economy, they also help protect over $3.5 billion worth of shorefront property and provide critical habitat for sea turtles, shore birds, and other marine wildlife. The long-term management of the County's shoreline involves shore protection projects, dune enhancements, and regional sediment management with extensive partnerships with State and Federal agencies.
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed renourishment along the south end (Reach 3) due to the critically eroded shoreline from the past two hurricanes. More than a 900,000 cubic yards of sand was placed on Reach 3 (7.5 miles in length – Myrtle Beach State Park to Garden City / Georgetown County)
Project Summary
| Project Engineer: | Coastal Science & Engineering – Columbia, SC |
| Contractor: | Coastal Science & Engineering – Columbia, SC |
| Total Project Cost: | $8.94 Million (Construction = $8.58 Million; Design, Permitting, CE&I / Monitoring = $360,000) |
| Funding: | 52% Local - Horry County (A-Tax), 48% State of South Carolina - SCPRT Beach Renourishment Grant |
| Project Length: | Approximately 6,000 Feet (1.14 miles) – from Singleton Swash to Apache Pier |
| Dredging / Beach Fill: | 475,000 Cubic Yards (expected quantity) |
| Project Duration: | Mid-December 2018 - early to mid-January 2019 (dredging / placement of beach fill) |
Why is beach renourishment important.
Beach renourishment is an environmentally sensitive and educational opportunity that benefits both residents and visitors. A wider beach provides extended storm protection in Horry County for over $3.7 billion of oceanfront residential and business properties. A wider beach ensures a protected and sustained natural environment for the sea turtles and sea birds that make their homes or nest on our beaches.
How often is beach renourishment needed
A beach renourishment is necessary every seven to 10 years, depending on weather conditions and storms passing through the area. Horry County’s last beach renourishment was in 2017.
How does the sand get to the beach
The sand is dredged from the offshore borrow areas into a hopper dredge. The hopper dredge motors from the borrow area closer to the project site and hooks up to a submerged pipeline. The submerged pipeline runs from just off the beach up onto the beach and connects to shore pipeline, which runs laterally along the dry beach. The sand is discharged as a water/sand slurry mixture through the pipeline, and bulldozers reshape the sand to meet the designed construction template.
What are the working hours for the project.
The project is permitted for, and will be constructed, 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week