The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has initiated an emergency dredging project to restore the severely eroded beach area north of the Indian River Inlet.
The project is necessary to protect critical transportation infrastructure, including Coastal Highway, which serves as an emergency evacuation route, said DNREC.
As part of the dredging and beach nourishment work, the north side beach at Delaware Seashore State Park will be temporarily closed to ensure public safety.
DNREC added that they will monitor the situation and work with the contractors to reopen this area when it is deemed to be safe for park visitors and surfers.
Under the program, up to 380,000 cubic yards of sand from a shoal on the south side of the Indian River Inlet will be dredged and used to rebuild the beach and dune system.
Also, dredged material will be transported via pipeline and screened for munitions and explosives of concern prior to placement on the beach. Sand is to be spread and graded to rebuild the dune system to an overall elevation of 16 feet by 25 feet wide.
The beach will be constructed to an elevation of 9.2 feet, or about 7 feet above the average high tide, and width of approximately 100 feet. The final beach width will be determined by the available dredge volume, concluded DNREC.