8 Proven Ways to prevent Beach Erosion

Coastal erosion occurs when the waves that lap at the coast slightly wear away at the shoreline. As these waves wash across the shore, they hold sand and sediment with them and redistribute them to the ocean floor or other regions. Erosion can be diminished by high winds, wave currents, and tidal currents. Due to all of these conditions common in Florida, beach erosion is usual in the state. That is why finding ways to stop beach erosion is even more important to residents of Florida than those of other states.

Why is a Need to Prevent Beach Erosion?

In case you live in Florida, you have perhaps seen the damage that can result from beach erosion. The procedure of erosion slowly eats away at the coastline. This is a danger for anyone who has a house or business near the coast since it can eventually result in the ground under your home being eroded. Additionally, erosion can cause water to collect close to your foundation. When this occurs, the water can weaken your concrete foundation or it can seep via the porous surface of the foundation and cause moisture problems in your home or business. All of these problems related to erosion can need expensive repairs.

That is why Florida residents are required to know about ways to prevent beach erosion. Preventing beach erosion close to your home or business could help ensure that your foundation does not suffer failure and that you do not have to cope with water seepage.

8 Ways to Prevent Beach Erosion

Several different methods have been utilized in various places to prevent beach erosion. Some of these methods have worked pretty well, but there are always various drawbacks and pros to each. Some of the most common methods to prevent Coastal/Beach erosion are as follows:

Groins

These are long, wall-like designs that are built on beaches and expand into the ocean perpendicular to the shoreline. The idea behind groins is that they function as a barrier to longshore currents. This lets them control and modifies the movement of sand. As the longshore current strikes the groin, it loses acceleration and dumps sand and sediment on the up-current area of the wall. While this catches sand on the up-current area of the wall, it results in more erosion on the down-current side of the wall, where the waves further again pick up sand and sediment.

Jetties

This solution includes constructing a line (2 or more based on the number of channels) of long structures perpendicular to the coast that reach into the ocean. These are typically made from stone, concrete, steel, or timber, and are structured to keep sand from entering a ship channel. As sand builds up opposing the current side of the jetties, it can be redistributed along the beach to further lessen erosion. Howbeit, such as in groins, erosion still happens on the down-current side of the jetties.

Breakwaters

These are barriers that are architected offshore parallel to or at an angle to the shoreline. Breakwaters function as a wave barrier, letting the beach grow while preventing harmful erosion. As waves strike the breakwater, they deposit their load of sediment with it. However, any area of the coast not protected by the breakwater continues to experience erosion.

Beach Nourishment

This is a smooth solution (one that does not need a hard structure) that involves depositing sand on the beach to artificially widen it. Although this solution can be efficient, it is expensive and temporary.

Vegetation

Strategic planting of vegetation can be used to assist control of erosion. The roots of coastal plants aid to anchor the sand and assure that it is not carried off in erosion. This is why most areas plant seagrass and build marshes along coasts to avert erosion. However, this solution states that the beach may not be as functional as it once was, particularly in case it is a tourist area.

Seawalls

Seawalls are one specifically effective way to prevent erosion. These are structures that are developed along the coastline to stop waves from ever coming into contact with the sand/shore on the opposite side. 

The Wind

Windbreaks are always a nice idea. These can be little fences that you set back from the beach a little bit. More than perhaps you’ve seen these somewhere before, probably at one of the more famed beaches.

Citizen Education

Teaching the public about sand erosion and other methods to combat beach erosion can be a huge help to communities as well as the ecosystem as a whole. People who visit beaches should be attentive to how they can help by picking up their trash, not standing or situating heavy objects on the dunes because that averts vegetation growth, and ignoring digging holes in the sand.