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Florence Renourishment Project- PHASE III (2021)
PROJECT UPDATES
(please scroll further down for an interpretation guide and general project overview)
5/28/2021 - PLANTING COMPLETED! NEW VIDEO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT BY EMERALD ISLE.
EarthBalance completed the 6.4 mile planting reach stipulated in our contract on Wednesday (5/26/2021) with a general ratio of 80% Sea Oats, 10% Bitter Panicum, and 10% Seashore Elder (photo of all 3 plants). The total plant count is roughly 400,000 spaced in a developed grid for the project along the dune crest (flat part of the top of the dune) and down most of the dune slope. Phenomenal job in 20 days and the Town of Emerald Isle in consort has released a NEW "STAY OFF THE DUNES" PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.
5/21/2021 - PLANTING IS ROUGHLY 85% COMPLETE.
The crew at EarthBalance have been making the most of the nice weather we’ve been enjoying and has completed approximately 5.3 out of 6.4 miles of the contracted planting distance. They were just east of Clark Street this morning progressing eastward towards the Dog-Leg 4WD Ramp. That’s good news as we should be completed in total by the Memorial Day Holiday weekend. Please note the dunes in the number streets (east Emerald Isle) were planted in 2019 as part of the Phase I Project - 3.1 miles worth). Again don't forget to STAY OFF THE DUNES and the "Rules of Engagement" with respect to Sand Fencing/Post-and-Rope, which can be accessed via this FACT SHEET AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.
5/14/2021 - GREAT PLANTING PROGRESS (more photos).
EarthBalance has made some really nice progress their first week here – they have completed Reach 1 (far west Emerald Isle) and have transitioned over to central Emerald Isle to continue working west to east. They are past Bogue Inlet Pier “heading towards the finish line” near the Dog-Leg 4-wheel drive ramp. Remember the dunes in the number streets (east Emerald Isle) were planted in 2019 as part of the Phase I Project. Photos below courtesy of the Town of Emerald Isle.
Of course it goes without saying, but PLEASE STAY OFF THE DUNES. The plants will undergo “transportation shock” and may look grayish here in a few days, but there are indeed alive and will shoot up new green growth - we don’t want to stomp and possibly kill the plants before they have a chance to grow in place. Also, please wait until AFTER EarthBalance has completed their work planting if you wish to install sand fencing and/or post-and-rope borders along the walkways. The Sand Fencing/Post-and-Rope “Rules of Engagement” can be accessed via this FACT SHEET AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.
5/6/2021 - PLANTING STARTS TODAY (new photos).
Our subcontractor EarthBalance initiated the "planting phase" in earnest today as the new dune crest (flat part of the dune) and most of the dune slope will be planted with mostly Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata), a bunch of Bitter Panicum (Panicum amarum), and some Seashore Elder (Iva imbricata) - (see the DUNE BOOK; Pages 12 - 16 for a description of the plants). EarthBalance will be progressing "West to East", starting at Reach 1 near the Point and moving to Reaches 3 and 4 in central Emerald Isle - remember the dunes in Reach 5 (numbered streets) were constructed and planted in 2019 as part of the Phase I Project. We're optimistically forecasting a 4 week timeframe to complete this year's planting effort. As mentioned in the past, the plants (100,000s) are truly native – they were germinated from either seed (Sea Oats and some Bitter Panicum) or cuttings (Bitter Panicum and Seashore Elder) obtained from Emerald Isle back in October 2020. Another interesting component for this year's planting is the use of a "hydrogel" rather than water. The hydrogel is a substance that holds and slow releases water, and is mixed with the required fertilizer as seen in the photo below. Our contract stipulates an 80% success rate, and we very feel confident this requisite will be met.
4/26/2021 - PROJECT COMPLETE & DEMOBILIZATION IN FULL SWING. EASTERN REGIONAL ACCESS CLOSED TODAY BUT RE-OPENED TOMORROW.
The hopper dredge Liberty Island delivered the last load of sand this morning at ~6:00 am to tie in just east of the Eastern Regional Access with the beach fill of the Ellis Island, which was completed last night SEE 4/26/2021 COMPLETION MAP. That’s roughly 220 and 115 total loads of sand for the Liberty Island and Ellis Island, respectively. We have completed the dredging/pumping phase of the project a few days ahead schedule – 9.4 linear miles of beach and over 2,015,000 cubic yards of sand since February 27, 2021 across far western and central/east Emerald Isle. A dump truck holds roughly 12 cubic yards as a mental image. Photos below from the “tie-in”.
Please note demobilization of pipe, bulldozers and other yellow steel, sleds, sheds, and even the CRAB is in full swing and will be tightly staged on the beach at the “Dog-Leg” 4WD Access as this equipment is removed from the beach at this point via flatbed trucks. This should take a week or two to fully complete. PLANTING starts next week (see 4/15/2021 update below).
A big thank you to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock for their commitment to the project and professionalism (for 3 years in a row!). A huge pat on the back (and probably a pleasant sign of relief) as well to property owners, residents, visitors, our friends at Bogue Inlet Pier, and our great local real estate companies for your understanding during the project – we’re very cognizant of the impacts of a 24-hours/7-days-a-week oceanfront construction project.
4/22/2021 - HOME STRETCH. COULD BE COMPLETED ON MONDAY (April 26th). EASTERN REGIONAL ACCESS CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND AS BOTH BEACHFILLS FROM THE ELLIS ISLAND AND LIBERTY ISLAND WILL MEET THERE.
SEE 4/22/2021 PROGRESS MAP – We have seen some incredible productivity the past few days/weeks and we could very well be completed (nourishment, in-the-water wise) on Monday, April 26th – well before the April 30th regulatory deadline. As such there are a lot of moving parts to consider as we see the last days of heavy equipment on the beach.
EMERALD ISLE EASTERN REGIONAL ACCESS CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND (LINK). – The hopper dredge Ellis Island has finished pumping off “line 5” this morning and is transitioning over to “Line 6” at 23rd Street, where she will work a few blocks east and could flip to the west to work towards the Eastern Regional Access. At the same time, the Liberty Island has been pumping off “line 4”, which emerges on the beach at Rhett Street and has been progressing eastward for the past several days. The beach fill was right at the “Dog-Leg” 4WD Access Ramp this morning and will likely meet the Ellis Island beachfill right at or just to the east of the Eastern Regional Access over the weekend. Again, see 4/22/2021 PROGRESS MAP. Also note the Liberty Island has a planned refuel event scheduled for Friday.
EQUIPMENT LOGISTICS – BE CAREFUL. Because the Ellis Island and Liberty Island have been working the beach as almost two independent units for the past month and a half; there is almost double the amount land pipe, double the amount of bulldozers and other yellow steel, and double the amount of trailers and other equipment on the job. All of this equipment is basically going to converge near the Eastern Regional Access this weekend and will be subsequently removed/demobilized from the beach over the course of the next several days via the Dog-Leg 4WD Access. That’s an extremely dense equipment footprint so please exercise more caution than even usual if you happen to live, rent, or visit the demobilization staging area near the Dog-Leg. Thank you so much.
4/19/2021 - THE ELLIS ISLAND HAS FLIPPED THE PIPE AND IS NOW HEADING WEST FROM 14TH STREET, WHILE THE LIBERTY ISLAND IS PROGRESSING EAST (AT GREGG STREET THIS MORNING) FROM A PIPELINE LANDING AT RHETT STREET. THEY ARE BASICALLY MEETING IN THE MIDDLE. 9,400 LINEAR FEET TO GO (OUT OF 49,455 LINEAR FEET TOTAL).
SEE 4/19/2021 PROGRESS MAP - We’re on our way to “meet in the middle” with roughly 9,400 linear feet remaining (out of 49,455 liner feet total). The hopper dredge Ellis Island has been pumping sand eastward from a submerged pipeline that emerges on the beach at 14th Street (a.k.a “Line 5)”. They have run the beachfill to the project’s geographic end at 5th Street and as of last night, are now are heading to the WEST towards the higher numbered streets (at 15th Street this morning). The Liberty Island on the other hand has been pumping sand EASTWARD from Rhett Street at “Line 4” since this past Thursday and was at Gregg Street this morning heading towards the beach behind “Flip Flops” and the Dog Leg 4WD Access. Thus both dredges are generally “working towards each other” as depicted in the 4/19/2021 PROGRESS MAP, and we are well on track to complete the project (the “in the water” part) by the April 30th regulatory deadline.
4/15/2021 - DUNE PLANTING TO START THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY. WE’RE READY TO FLIP THE PIPE AT RHETT STREET (LINE 4) AND HEAD EAST WHILE THE ELLIS ISLAND CONTINUES PUMPING AT 14th STREET (LINE 5) TO THE EAST - CURRENTLY AT 9th/8th STREET.
SEE 4/15/2021 PROGRESS MAP – The hopper dredge Liberty Island has been pumping sand westward from Rhett Street at Line 4 to tie into to the beach fill at Elizabeth Street, which should conclude late today. Hence starting tomorrow (4/16/2021), we will “flip the elbow” and start pumping EAST of Rhett Street heading towards to the “Dog-Leg” 4WD Access. The Ellis Island concurrently is pumping sand from “Line 5” at 14th Street and continues to head EAST toward the lower numbered streets until she reaches 5th Street. The beachfill has reached 9th/8th Street as of this morning.
DUNE PLANTING STARTS FIRST WEEK OF MAY – EarthBalance will be mobilizing to Emerald Isle to plant mostly Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata), a bunch of Bitter Panicum (Panicum amarum), and some Seashore Elder (Iva imbricata) beginning the very first week of May - (see the DUNE BOOK; Pages 12 - 16 for a description of the plants). EarthBalance will be progressing "West to East", starting at Reach 1 and moving to Reaches 3 and 4 - remember the dunes is Reach 5 (numbered streets) were emplaced and planted in 2019 as part of the Phase I Project. The plants (100,000s) are truly native – they were germinated from either seed (Sea Oats) or cuttings (Bitter Panicum and Seashore Elder) obtained from Emerald Isle back in October 2020 and are looking exceptional in the Earth Balance Greenhouse (see photos from 3/29/2021 below). TWO THINGS TO REMEMBER – (1) Stay off the dunes – we don’t want to stomp and possibly kill the plants before they have a chance to grow in place. (2) Please wait until AFTER EarthBalance has completed their work planting if you wish to install sand fencing and/or post-and-rope borders along the walkways. The Sand Fencing/Post-and-Rope “Rules of Engagement” can be accessed via this FACT SHEET AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.
4/12/2021 - LIBERTY ISLAND & ELLIS ISLAND CONTINUE AT LINE 4 (RHETT STREET) HEADING WEST AND AT 14th STREET (LINE 5) HEADING EAST TOWARDS THE LOWER NUMBERED STREETS, RESPECTIVELY.
SEE 4/12/2021 PROGRESS MAP – Not much change over the weekend in a macroscopic sense. The hopper dredge Liberty Island continues pumping WESTWARD from Rhett Street on “Line 4” to tie in with the beach fill at Elizabeth Street. They were at Bryan Street this morning. In the same vein, the Ellis Island continues pumping from “Line 5” at 14th Street heading EAST towards the lower number street after refueling yesterday (4/11). They will continue at 12th Street later today after testing Submerged Pipeline #6 (“Line 6”) located near 24th Street this morning (SEE 4/12/2021 PROGRESS MAP. Photos below are from Friday, 4/9/2021.
4/8/2021 (WEEKEND UPDATE) – WORK AT LINE 3 ALMOST COMPLETE. LIBERTY ISLAND NOW AT LINE 4 (RHETT STREET) HEADING WEST. ELLIS ISLAND TO BE MOBILIZED TO LINE 5 LATER TODAY AT 14th STREET HEADING EAST TOWARDS THE LOWER NUMBERED STREETS – “BERM ONLY”.
IMPORTANT NOTES (SEE 4/8/2021 PROGRESS MAP):
(A) The hopper dredge Ellis Island will finish pumping at LINE 3 later today, meaning nourishment is complete all the way from Sound-of-the-Sea condominiums to Elizabeth Street (roughly 21,800 linear feet or 4.1 miles).
(B) The hopper dredges Ellis Island and Liberty Island will perform a mini “switcheroo” today
(B1) Later today, the Ellis Island will mobilize over to LINE 5 at 14th Street to continue pumping EAST from this point towards the lower numbered streets. A refueling event is planned for Sunday April 11th, which will take a majority of the day.
(B2) The Liberty Island has been directed off of LINE 5 at 14th Street and is now serving LINE 4 at Rhett Street. They are working WEST back to tie-in with the finished beach fill at Elizabeth Street – they were at Grace Ct. at noon time today. (again see 4/8/2021 PROGRESS MAP).
(C) “Berm Only” and “Hot-Spot” – The proposed nourishment area encompassing the beach between the Dog-Leg 4WD Ramp and 5th Street has a “berm only” template (no dune installation – just flat beach). Why?
(1) We constructed the dune and added flat part of the beach (berm) to this reach during our Phase I Project in 2019, so the dune that hurricane Florence removed in 2018 has already been replaced in this area. However, our nourishment volume was below the amount of sand loss documented for hurricane Florence (+38.2 cubic yards/linear foot added in 2019 vs. -43.8 cubic years/linear foot lost in 2018). This was one of the collateral design issues we had back in late 2018 trying to get the most critical areas of Bogue Banks nourished with the financial resources we had in-hand at the time. This was months and months before FEMA fixed-cost funding to Pine Knoll Shores, Indian Beach, and Emerald Isle was approved; and was also months before the General Assembly even passed legislation enabling communities to apply for State funding as well.
(2) Equally important, the numbered streets (particularly 10th through 20th streets) are a known erosion “hot spot” based on two decades worth of detailed beach monitoring; and thus require more frequent infusions of sand. This will be the sixth time since 2003 this area has received nourishment. Moreover for this year’s project, we evaluated several beachfill designs to try enhance the longevity of the beachfill (see Memo). The following is a series of “before and immediately after Florence, and today” photos taken at 12th Street – again, the aim of the Post-Florence Project as a whole is to build back the portion of the dune system Florence took away and provide a healthy berm (i.e., flat part of the beach or “where the chairs and towels are”).
4/5/2021 - SPRING BREAK WEEK UPDATE – LIBERTY ISLAND STARTS AT 14th STREET (LINE 5), ELLIS ISLAND TO FINISH WITH LINE 3 THIS WEEK AND MOVE TO LINE 4 AT RHETT STREET ON OR ABOUT APRIL 10th
PLEASE SEE 4/5/2021 PROGRESS MAP FOR “LINE” LOCATIONS.
Please note we have three submerged pipeline (LINES) that will eventually be in use this week, hence three different zones.
(1) The easiest one to conceptualize first (see 4/5/2021 PROGRESS MAP) – the hopper dredge Liberty Island refueled over the Easter weekend and has been sent to serve LINE 5, which is located at 14th Street. Nourishment will proceed EAST of this point thus expect the area near 14th to 10th Street or even beyond to be active this week.
(2) The largest hopper dredge in the U.S , the Ellis Island is currently serving LINE 3 which emerges on the beach at Scotch Bonnet and nourishment has been advancing EAST from this point. The spreader plate (where the slurry of sand and water outfalls on the beach) was at Hurst Road this morning and will continue east to roughly Fairfax Road to finish pumping from LINE 3 by April 10th, which leads us smartly leads us to….
(3) On or about April 10th (say this upcoming weekend), the Ellis Island will transition to LINE 4 located at Rhett Street and nourishment will advance back to the WEST as depicted in the 4/5/2021 PROGRESS MAP.
4/1/2021 (EASTER WEEKEND UPDATE) - ELLIS ISLAND TO FINISH W/ LINE 2 TODAY & MOVE TO LINE 3 ON FRIDAY, LIBERTY ISLAND TO REFUEL.
(A) This evening (April 1st) the large hopper dredge, Ellis Island is going to complete the “tie in” between Craig Street and Arthur Drive, which will conclude all pumping activities associated with “LINE 2”. *Last LINE 2 load was actually delivered in the sunlight morning hours of 4/2. Tomorrow (Friday April 2nd) therefore is a big day for two reasons (see 4/2/2021 PROGRESS MAP);
(1) The long LINE 2 pipe string extending from the west of Bogue Inlet Pier all the way east to Arthur Drive will be dis-assembled and moved to service LINE 4 near Rhett Drive. This means the beach near Bogue Inlet Pier will be free of pipe this weekend as well. However, please pay attention and remain cognizant of all the heavy equipment that will be going back and forth between LINES 2 and 4 to move the pipe.
(2) The Ellis Island will begin pumping through LINE 4 tomorrow, which emerges at Rhett Street - nourishment will progress west from this point. *See note below.
(B) The Liberty Island remains pumping off of LINE 3 and nourishment is heading east of this pipeline landing at Scotch Bonnett Drive – the “spreader plate” (slurry outfall) was located near East Summer Place this morning heading towards Hurst Street, etc. Please note however that the Liberty Island is scheduled for refueling – likely Friday (partially) and Saturday. Obviously there will be no activity on LINE 3 at this time. *See note below.
*NOTE: The Ellis Island will actually go to LINE 3 beginning on April 2nd, the Liberty Island will go to LINE 4 subsequent to refueling (late Saturday or Sunday).
(C) THE NEW DUNES NEED YOUR SUPPORT! - Please help us help the survivability and integrity of the dunes by keeping away from the new (and even older) plants that we will begin installing later this month. Wanton, unabated type of foot traffic can be a big issue. The accompanying photo are sea oat plantings that were germinated from seed obtained in Emerald Isle back in October of 2020 by our subcontractor Earth Balance. We stipulated native dune plants must be used taking a “full circle” approach. The dune planting effort just for Phase III project includes well over half a million plants and is a big investment of mostly sea oats from seed, and bitter panicum and seashore elder from cuttings (photos from the greenhouse earlier this week are below).
3/29/2021 - ELLIS ISLAND TO FINISH WITH LINE 2 LATER THIS WEEK AND MOVE TO LINE 4, LIBERTY ISLAND FILL HEADING EAST FROM LINE 3.
Nice progress this past week and we’re on the move (SEE 3/29/2021 PROGRESS MAP).
(1) The Liberty Island finished pumping west to roughly Arthur Drive from where “LINE 3” lands on the beach (near Scotch Bonnet Drive), and as of this past Saturday is now heading east from Scotch Bonnet Drive currently passing Whitewater Drive.
(2) The Ellis Island is currently serving “LINE 2”, which lands west of Bogue Inlet Pier and nourishment continues eastward from this point as we tie in the beachfill from the Liberty Island at Arthur Drive (again see 3/29/2021 PROGRESS MAP). We expect to be completed with this section on or about April 2nd and the Ellis Island will relocate to LINE 4 at Rhett Street and start pumping west from this point on April 2nd (just in time for this upcoming weekend to clear the entire LINE 2 beach region of pipe).
3/25/2021 - PIPE FLIPPED AND UNDER THE PIER; BEACHFILL HEADING TOWARDS EACH OTHER. NEW PHOTOS.
Both dredges (the Ellis Island and Liberty Island) and the “lines” they are serving are now working towards each other since the pipe has been flipped at “Line 2” and nourishment begun progressing eastward from this pipeline landing and therefore under Bogue Inlet Pier. As the 3/25/2021 PROGRESS MAP depicts, the outfall for the slurry of sand and water pumping from the Liberty Island (and thus Line 3) is near Bluewater Drive this morning, while the slurry pumped from the Ellis Island is near Eastview Drive (think the beach behind the Emerald Isle Post Office). Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is also attempting to set “Line 4” this morning for future use (see Progress Map for location of Line 4). Otherwise, there were some good photo opportunities at Bogue Inlet Pier last night as sand was pumped underneath the pier (see below).
3/22/2021 - ELLIS ISLAND & LIBERTY ISLAND PRODUCING. READY TO FLIP THE PIPE TOMORROW AT THE PIER.
Both hopper dredges on site (the Ellis Island and Liberty Island) are having a strong first week working in tandem after the Ellis Island arrived and started this past Tuesday (3/16) and despite having a one weather day to contend with as well. We’re scheduled to “flip the pipe” on line 2 tomorrow, which emerges on the beach just west of Bogue Inlet Pier. The Ellis Island has been serving this line since her arrival progressing west for the pipeline landing towards Sound-of-the Sea. She has almost completed this western leg (discharge is at Heverly Dr. this morning), and will start progressing EAST of the pipeline landing and therefore under the pier and heading towards the Black Skimmer 4-wheel Drive Access (SEE 3/22/2021 PROGRESS MAP). This eastern leg will be one of the main construction zone this week. Meanwhile the Liberty Island is pumping away on “Line 3” which emerges onto the beach near Scotch Bonnet Drive and is progressing west heading towards the Black Skimmer 4-wheel Drive Access, but obviously from the other direction than the Ellis Island and Line 2. The outfall/discharge point was in between Nina Drive and Azure Drive this morning. This is our second main construction zone for this week.
3/17/2021 - PUMPING ON TWO LINES W/ THE ELLIS ISLAND & LIBERTY ISLAND BEFORE ROUGH SEAS HIT
True to the schedule, the Ellis Island arrived yesterday and pumped the first load to the beach at roughly 8 pm (photos below of the 3rd load earlier today). The Ellis Island as mentioned many times before is the largest hopper dredge in the U.S. and accordingly takes a little longer to fill and pump-out; and thus her round trip cycle takes a little longer than the Liberty Island. Regardless, each of the dredges now on site are using two separate submerged pipeline landings (sublines or "lines") - 3/17/2021 PROGRESS MAP. The Liberty Island is using "Line 3" which emerges near Scotch Bonnet Drive - they are working west from this point and were at Santa Maria Drive this morning. Meanwhile, the Ellis Island is using "Line 2" just west of Bogue Inlet Pier - they are currently progressing west of this point towards Sound-of-the-Sea (the discharge was located near Mangrove Driver earlier today). And lastly we are expecting bad weather and rough seas beginning Thursday afternoon, which will force a shut down of a day (or possibly more).
3/15/2021 - TWO DREDGES – TWO DISCRETE NOURISHMENT AREAS. ELLIS ISLAND TO ARRIVE TOMORROW
The dredge Liberty Island has been focusing her attention on “Line 3”, which is east of Bogue Inlet Pier near Scotch Bonnet Drive. They are progressing west from this point and this move was predicated over the weekend for two main reasons, (1) they wanted to get a “pad” or base going for the Ellis Island, which is scheduled to arrive and begin on Tuesday (tomorrow). And subsequently and unexpectedly: (2) the Liberty Island developed a mechanical issue, so to reduce her sail time, she will now stay on Line 3. Hence why there was no activity this past weekend at Line 2 which is located just too the west of Bogue Inlet Pier. Once the Ellis Island arrives and starts, which is anticipated to be on Tuesday, she will now focus on Line 2, while the Liberty Island will stay on Line 3. Map of submerged pipeline landings are included in the 3/15/2021 PROGRESS MAP. The Liberty Island should be fully operational on Wednesday once a one-day type of repair is complete. As always please be cognizant that beach nourishment is a gigantic 24-hour, 7 days a week construction effort and be safe and respectful of the flagging when visiting the site.
3/10/2021 - DRONE VIDEO, REACH 1 (Far West Emerald Isle) COMPLETE, CENTRAL EMERALD ISLE REACH STARTED.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock and the their hopper dredge, the Liberty Island delivered the last load of sand to Reach 1 (Far West Emerald Isle) yesterday (SEE COMPLETED MAP) and followed by placing the first load of sand in Central Emerald Isle (reach 3) last night as well - See 3/10/2021 PROGRESS MAP). Also the second hopper dredge (the Ellis Island) is now expected to arrive a day or two early (March 15th or 16th) and will serve the "3rd Pipeline Landing" as the Liberty Island will continue to work on "Line 2". And lastly, we were able to collect some drone footage of the last load for Reach 1 yesterday (see immediately below).
3/8/2021 - REACH 1 (Far West Emerald Isle) ALMOST COMPLETE, SHOULD START ON "LINE 2" TOMORROW.
Roughly 5,000 linear feet of the total 6,000 linear feet associated with Reach 1 located in Far Western Emerald Isle has been completed as of this morning (SEE 3/8/2021 PROGRESS MAP). Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is pumping sand now east of from the submerged pipeline (subline) landing depicted in the progress map after "flipping the pipe" at the subline last week. We could be completed with Reach 1 entirely sometime this evening and transition to Central Emerald Isle and "Reach 3". The 2nd subline (a.k.a. - "Line 2") is located west of Bogue Inlet Pier, where again sand will be pumped west, then east of the subline landing. As a friendly reminder and again now that portions of the newly nourished beach are open for public use, PLEASE STAY OFF THE NEW DUNES (foot traffic wise and no 4WD vehicles). Thank you – the dunes will be planted with sea oats and bitter panicum in a couple of months and we don’t want the integrity of the dune to be compromised before then.
3/3/2021 - GOOD FIRST WEEK OF PRODUCTIVITY, COULD "FLIP THE PIPE" TODAY IN REACH 1
The hopper dredge, Liberty Island has been working non-stop since she started through the fog, wind, and other elements this past weekend; and through more favorable sea conditions so far this week. She has a 6,540 cubic yard capacity or as one can think of it --- she can hold 6,540 cubic yards “of air”. In reality, she is holding/transporting, pumping closer to 4,800 – 5,000 cubic yards per load, which is indicative of pumping really nice, heavy sand. A dump truck holds rough 12 cubic yards of wet sand as mental image. We’re on our farthest reach from the borrow site (the ODMDS) and it’s taking roughly 6 hours to complete an entire cycle = dredging, sailing to west Emerald Isle, pumping out the hopper dredge to the beach, sailing back to the borrow source – repeat. Productivity will improve some as the cycle time will get shorter once we complete “Reach 1” along far Western Emerald Isle and move to central Emerald Isle and therefore closer to the borrow site and thus a shorter sail distance (both to and from). Add to that, we should really see a big productivity push once the second dredge arrives in mid-March – the Ellis Island – the largest hopper dredge in the United States holding 14,800 cubic yards “of air” – likely over 10,000 cy of sand per load.
Thus far, approximately 2,400 linear feet of beach has been completed as we head west from the submerged pipeline landing at Point Emerald Villas (SEE 3/3/2021 PROGRESS MAP). We should complete this west run (or “leg”) tonight and then “flip the pipe” and start heading east from the subline landing at Point Emerald Villas to eventually complete the reach. Thus the western leg of the reach should be open back to the public starting sometime tomorrow and to this end – PLEASE STAY OFF THE NEW DUNES (foot traffic wise and no 4WD vehicles). Thank you – the dunes will be planted with sea oats and bitter panicum in a couple of months and we don’t want the integrity of the dune to be compromised before then.
2/27/2021 - PROJECT START!!! (2/26/2021) w/ THE LIBERTY ISLAND
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock’s hopper dredge, the Liberty Island dredged, hauled, and pumped the first load of sand from the ODMDS to reach 1 in far Western Emerald Isle at roughly 8:30 pm yesterday evening (SEE 2/27/201 PROGRESS MAP). The slurry of sand & water (roughly 80% water and 20% sand) is being pumped from the dredge through a floating hose positioned offshore that is affixed to “the cube”, which serves as an interface between the floating hose/probe and the submerged pipeline (“subline”) that was installed several weeks ago. The slurry is discharged through the dredge to the probe/floating hose apparatus, through the cube, and through the subline to the beach where shore pipe is added to the west, then east from where the subline lands near Point Emerald Villas. (see PHOTOS below). We have “ok” seas in the forecast this weekend so hopefully we’ll see some good productivity this first week.
2/24/2021 - LIBERTY ISLAND ARRIVED MONDAY – REPAIRS UNDERWAY – PROJECT START PLANNED FOR TOMORROW
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock’s hopper dredge, the Liberty Island arrived this Monday but has to undergo a repair (welding) while anchored at one of the Morehead City Port berths before work can commence. The vessel Lady Paige has begun trawling the ODMDS borrow site as part of endangered/threatened species relocation efforts to minimize any interaction with the dredge. We anticipate dredging to start late tomorrow (2/25/2021), with the first load being delivered to Reach 1 (far western Emerald Isle) a few hours later. With respect to the second dredge scheduled to work on the project (the Ellis Island) – while still tentative, her arrival is expected sometime on March 17th/18th. The Ellis Island will work in tandem with the Liberty Island until the project is completed by the April 30th deadline. Initially, we are planning for the Liberty Island to service the 1st submerged pipeline (subline) landing in Reach 1 and the 2nd subline landing in central Emerald Isle, located west of Bogue Inlet Pier (MAP). The Ellis Island, when she arrives, will begin pumping from subline 3 and then leapfrog to subline 4 – both of which are located east of Bogue Inlet Pier (again, see MAP). And lastly, the CRAB (amphibious survey vehicle) is being constructed and will be a prominent feature along the project landscape (SEE PHOTO – 2/23/2021).
2/17/2021 - LIBERTY ISLAND ALL SET TO ARRIVE AND LIKELY START ON FEBRUARY 21, 2021
The hopper dredge Liberty Island is scheduled to set sail from a current job in Florida to arrive and start our Phase III Project in earnest (dredging, hauling, pumping sand) on February 21st - this upcoming Sunday. As mentioned in previous updates, the nourishment will begin in the far west Emerald Isle Reach (REACH 1 MAP). Sand will be pumped from the dredge through the submerged pipeline that lands near Point Emerald Villas. The nourishment operation will work west, then east from this point until the reach is completed, and will subsequently "leapfrog" to the next reach to the east (Reach 3 - see MAP).
2/10/2021 - SAME SCHEDULE. NEW PLANTING, SAND FENCING, AND POST & ROPE NOTES. NEW PSA AND SAND FENCING FACT SHEET!
(1) SCHEDULE - The hopper dredge Liberty Island remains on schedule to arrive and begin the project in earnest on February 20th as discussed in previous updates (see below).
(2) DUNE PLANTS - A detailed dune planting work scope is included in the dredging contract, which incorporates the planting, fertilization, and initial watering of several 100,000s of sea oats on top and mostly down the entire slope of the newly constructed dune. The Sea Oats will be augmented with Bitter Panicum and Seashore Elder (see the DUNE BOOK; Pages 12 - 16 for a description of the plants). The contract also stipulates the use of native plants only and to this end, the subcontractor (Earth Balance) obtained seeds and cuttings of plants from Emerald Isle this past October and have since been germinated and are waiting in the greenhouse ready to be planted once the nourishment phase of the project is completed (see photos below).
(3) SAND FENCING - Have a question concerning sand fencing or installing post & rope walkways? Then see this great, new video style Public Service Announcement from the Town of Emerald Isle and the Sand Fencing Fact Sheet above.
2/4/2021 - GETTING EVERYTHING SET FOR THE FEBRAURY 20th
The hopper dredge Liberty Island remains on schedule to arrive and begin the parade of dredging, holding, sailing, and pumping sand on the beach on February 20th - starting in Reach 1 (far west Emerald Isle). The Liberty Island will complete reach 1 and generally progress or "leapfrog" across reaches 3, 4, and 5 in a west to east direction - generally through central and east Emerald Isle. As mentioned many times in the past, the second, larger capacity dredge (the Ellis Island) is expected to arrive later in the project to help complete the work - as late as April 1st but we are working diligently to see her arrival sooner. The Liberty Island and Ellis Island are working in Florida and Charleston SC , respectively and have been feverishly been trying to compete their work at these jobs while also encountering COVID-related issues both at sea and on-land.
1/27/2021 - 2nd SUBMERGED PIPELINE LANDING SET IN REACH 3; START DATE PUSHED BACK TO ROUGHLY FEBRUARY 20th
This past Sunday (1/24/2021), Great Lakes Dredge & Dock took advantage of the calm seas and set the 2nd submerged pipeline just west of Bogue Inlet Pier in Reach 3 (see Station "187+50" in the Area of Detail Map). These submerged pipelines will be "leap-frogged" west to east across the project as nourishment progresses in that general direction. Otherwise, our start date has been pushed back to roughly February 20th. The hopper dredge Liberty Island and Ellis Island have encountered issues at their current jobs in Florida and South Carolina, respectively causing some scheduling changes in terms of their arrival times here. The arrival of the dredges could now nearly coincide with one another to help complete the project before the April 30th environmental window closes for the sea turtle nesting season and other biological resources.
1/20/2021 - 1st SUBMERGED PIPELINE LANDING SET IN REACH 1; FEBRUARY 12th CONTINUES TO BE THE START DATE
The mobilization process is in full swing as equipment is being delivered to the Dog-Leg 4WD Access and perhaps more encouraging, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) set the 1st submerged pipeline ("subline") in Reach 1 yesterday (1/19/2021) - see map and photos below. Sand will be pumped through this subline once the hopper dredge Liberty Island arrives as pipe will be added to the subline to pump sand west, then east from the subline landing point at the Point Emerald Villas/Lands End boundary. Again, we are expected to dredge, hold, sail, and pump-out the first load of sand from the ODMDS borrow site on February 12th.
1/13/2021 - MOBILIZATION SCHEDULE GENERALLY THE SAME, START DATE PUSHED TO FEBRAURY 12th
Akin to building a house from the ground up (i.e., there’s always delays), Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) has shifted the start of the project by a couple of weeks (see 1/6/2021 update immediately below). The hopper dredge Liberty Island is thus scheduled to start on February 12th in Reach 1 (far west Emerald Isle) rather than during the last week of January as initially planned. While inconvenient perhaps, there is no cause for alarm – we started our Phase II project last year (2020) on February 5th with a similar amount of cubic yards (just north of 2 million cubic yards) albeit a shorter sail distances to and from the borrow sources compared to the Phase III Project. However, GLDD is already planning to keep the second and larger capacity hopper dredge, the Ellis Island on-site for a longer period of time to meet the April 30th project completion deadline. Otherwise, the mobilization schedule pretty much remains the same – water based equipment has started arriving on-site in the Harbor (Morehead City) and the land-based equipment should start arriving next week (again using the dog-leg” 4-WD ramp near the Emerald Isle’s Eastern Regional Access as the main entry point to and from the beach).
1/6/2021 - LOOKING TO START THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY
The project sponsors (Carteret County and Emerald Isle), Engineers (Moffatt & Nichol), dredging contractor (Great Lakes Dredge & Dock), and State and federal resource agencies had our first weekly meeting earlier today for the Phase III Project. The water-based equipment (submerged lines, tugs, ancillary vessels, etc.) should begin arriving later this week and the land-based pipe, office shacks, and “yellow steel” (bulldozers, front-end loaders, etc.) are scheduled to begin to be delivered to the site via flatbed trucks late next week. The “dog-leg” 4-WD ramp near the Emerald Isle’s Eastern Regional Access will be the main access point for mobilizing and temporary staging this equipment. The hopper dredge Liberty Island is scheduled to arrive and begin dredging/sailing/pumping sand somewhere in the January 24th - 31st timeframe. REACH 1 (far west Emerald Isle) will be nourished first (see MAP).
5/21/2021 - PLANTING IS ROUGHLY 85% COMPLETE.
The crew at EarthBalance have been making the most of the nice weather we’ve been enjoying and has completed approximately 5.3 out of 6.4 miles of the contracted planting distance. They were just east of Clark Street this morning progressing eastward towards the Dog-Leg 4WD Ramp. That’s good news as we should be completed in total by the Memorial Day Holiday weekend. Please note the dunes in the number streets (east Emerald Isle) were planted in 2019 as part of the Phase I Project - 3.1 miles worth). Again don't forget to STAY OFF THE DUNES and the "Rules of Engagement" with respect to Sand Fencing/Post-and-Rope, which can be accessed via this FACT SHEET AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.
5/14/2021 - GREAT PLANTING PROGRESS (more photos).
EarthBalance has made some really nice progress their first week here – they have completed Reach 1 (far west Emerald Isle) and have transitioned over to central Emerald Isle to continue working west to east. They are past Bogue Inlet Pier “heading towards the finish line” near the Dog-Leg 4-wheel drive ramp. Remember the dunes in the number streets (east Emerald Isle) were planted in 2019 as part of the Phase I Project. Photos below courtesy of the Town of Emerald Isle.
Of course it goes without saying, but PLEASE STAY OFF THE DUNES. The plants will undergo “transportation shock” and may look grayish here in a few days, but there are indeed alive and will shoot up new green growth - we don’t want to stomp and possibly kill the plants before they have a chance to grow in place. Also, please wait until AFTER EarthBalance has completed their work planting if you wish to install sand fencing and/or post-and-rope borders along the walkways. The Sand Fencing/Post-and-Rope “Rules of Engagement” can be accessed via this FACT SHEET AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.
| PLANTING PHOTOS - 5/13/2021 |
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|---|---|---|---|
Hydrogel & Osmocote MIx |
Another Trio Shot Left = Elder Center = Panicum Right = Sea Oats |
Planting In Action |
Planting in Action (2) |
5/6/2021 - PLANTING STARTS TODAY (new photos).
Our subcontractor EarthBalance initiated the "planting phase" in earnest today as the new dune crest (flat part of the dune) and most of the dune slope will be planted with mostly Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata), a bunch of Bitter Panicum (Panicum amarum), and some Seashore Elder (Iva imbricata) - (see the DUNE BOOK; Pages 12 - 16 for a description of the plants). EarthBalance will be progressing "West to East", starting at Reach 1 near the Point and moving to Reaches 3 and 4 in central Emerald Isle - remember the dunes in Reach 5 (numbered streets) were constructed and planted in 2019 as part of the Phase I Project. We're optimistically forecasting a 4 week timeframe to complete this year's planting effort. As mentioned in the past, the plants (100,000s) are truly native – they were germinated from either seed (Sea Oats and some Bitter Panicum) or cuttings (Bitter Panicum and Seashore Elder) obtained from Emerald Isle back in October 2020. Another interesting component for this year's planting is the use of a "hydrogel" rather than water. The hydrogel is a substance that holds and slow releases water, and is mixed with the required fertilizer as seen in the photo below. Our contract stipulates an 80% success rate, and we very feel confident this requisite will be met.
| PLANTING PHOTOS - 5/6/2021 |
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|---|---|---|---|
Hydrogel & Osmocote MIx |
The Trio Front Left = Elder Front Right = Panicum Rest = Sea Oats |
Seashore Elder Iva imbricata |
Sea Oats Uniola paniculata |
4/26/2021 - PROJECT COMPLETE & DEMOBILIZATION IN FULL SWING. EASTERN REGIONAL ACCESS CLOSED TODAY BUT RE-OPENED TOMORROW.
The hopper dredge Liberty Island delivered the last load of sand this morning at ~6:00 am to tie in just east of the Eastern Regional Access with the beach fill of the Ellis Island, which was completed last night SEE 4/26/2021 COMPLETION MAP. That’s roughly 220 and 115 total loads of sand for the Liberty Island and Ellis Island, respectively. We have completed the dredging/pumping phase of the project a few days ahead schedule – 9.4 linear miles of beach and over 2,015,000 cubic yards of sand since February 27, 2021 across far western and central/east Emerald Isle. A dump truck holds roughly 12 cubic yards as a mental image. Photos below from the “tie-in”.
Please note demobilization of pipe, bulldozers and other yellow steel, sleds, sheds, and even the CRAB is in full swing and will be tightly staged on the beach at the “Dog-Leg” 4WD Access as this equipment is removed from the beach at this point via flatbed trucks. This should take a week or two to fully complete. PLANTING starts next week (see 4/15/2021 update below).
A big thank you to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock for their commitment to the project and professionalism (for 3 years in a row!). A huge pat on the back (and probably a pleasant sign of relief) as well to property owners, residents, visitors, our friends at Bogue Inlet Pier, and our great local real estate companies for your understanding during the project – we’re very cognizant of the impacts of a 24-hours/7-days-a-week oceanfront construction project.
| PHOTOS FROM TIE-IN AT EASTERN REGIONAL ACCESS - 4/26/2021 |
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| Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3 |
4/22/2021 - HOME STRETCH. COULD BE COMPLETED ON MONDAY (April 26th). EASTERN REGIONAL ACCESS CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND AS BOTH BEACHFILLS FROM THE ELLIS ISLAND AND LIBERTY ISLAND WILL MEET THERE.
SEE 4/22/2021 PROGRESS MAP – We have seen some incredible productivity the past few days/weeks and we could very well be completed (nourishment, in-the-water wise) on Monday, April 26th – well before the April 30th regulatory deadline. As such there are a lot of moving parts to consider as we see the last days of heavy equipment on the beach.
EMERALD ISLE EASTERN REGIONAL ACCESS CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND (LINK). – The hopper dredge Ellis Island has finished pumping off “line 5” this morning and is transitioning over to “Line 6” at 23rd Street, where she will work a few blocks east and could flip to the west to work towards the Eastern Regional Access. At the same time, the Liberty Island has been pumping off “line 4”, which emerges on the beach at Rhett Street and has been progressing eastward for the past several days. The beach fill was right at the “Dog-Leg” 4WD Access Ramp this morning and will likely meet the Ellis Island beachfill right at or just to the east of the Eastern Regional Access over the weekend. Again, see 4/22/2021 PROGRESS MAP. Also note the Liberty Island has a planned refuel event scheduled for Friday.
EQUIPMENT LOGISTICS – BE CAREFUL. Because the Ellis Island and Liberty Island have been working the beach as almost two independent units for the past month and a half; there is almost double the amount land pipe, double the amount of bulldozers and other yellow steel, and double the amount of trailers and other equipment on the job. All of this equipment is basically going to converge near the Eastern Regional Access this weekend and will be subsequently removed/demobilized from the beach over the course of the next several days via the Dog-Leg 4WD Access. That’s an extremely dense equipment footprint so please exercise more caution than even usual if you happen to live, rent, or visit the demobilization staging area near the Dog-Leg. Thank you so much.
SEE 4/19/2021 PROGRESS MAP - We’re on our way to “meet in the middle” with roughly 9,400 linear feet remaining (out of 49,455 liner feet total). The hopper dredge Ellis Island has been pumping sand eastward from a submerged pipeline that emerges on the beach at 14th Street (a.k.a “Line 5)”. They have run the beachfill to the project’s geographic end at 5th Street and as of last night, are now are heading to the WEST towards the higher numbered streets (at 15th Street this morning). The Liberty Island on the other hand has been pumping sand EASTWARD from Rhett Street at “Line 4” since this past Thursday and was at Gregg Street this morning heading towards the beach behind “Flip Flops” and the Dog Leg 4WD Access. Thus both dredges are generally “working towards each other” as depicted in the 4/19/2021 PROGRESS MAP, and we are well on track to complete the project (the “in the water” part) by the April 30th regulatory deadline.
4/15/2021 - DUNE PLANTING TO START THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY. WE’RE READY TO FLIP THE PIPE AT RHETT STREET (LINE 4) AND HEAD EAST WHILE THE ELLIS ISLAND CONTINUES PUMPING AT 14th STREET (LINE 5) TO THE EAST - CURRENTLY AT 9th/8th STREET.
SEE 4/15/2021 PROGRESS MAP – The hopper dredge Liberty Island has been pumping sand westward from Rhett Street at Line 4 to tie into to the beach fill at Elizabeth Street, which should conclude late today. Hence starting tomorrow (4/16/2021), we will “flip the elbow” and start pumping EAST of Rhett Street heading towards to the “Dog-Leg” 4WD Access. The Ellis Island concurrently is pumping sand from “Line 5” at 14th Street and continues to head EAST toward the lower numbered streets until she reaches 5th Street. The beachfill has reached 9th/8th Street as of this morning.
DUNE PLANTING STARTS FIRST WEEK OF MAY – EarthBalance will be mobilizing to Emerald Isle to plant mostly Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata), a bunch of Bitter Panicum (Panicum amarum), and some Seashore Elder (Iva imbricata) beginning the very first week of May - (see the DUNE BOOK; Pages 12 - 16 for a description of the plants). EarthBalance will be progressing "West to East", starting at Reach 1 and moving to Reaches 3 and 4 - remember the dunes is Reach 5 (numbered streets) were emplaced and planted in 2019 as part of the Phase I Project. The plants (100,000s) are truly native – they were germinated from either seed (Sea Oats) or cuttings (Bitter Panicum and Seashore Elder) obtained from Emerald Isle back in October 2020 and are looking exceptional in the Earth Balance Greenhouse (see photos from 3/29/2021 below). TWO THINGS TO REMEMBER – (1) Stay off the dunes – we don’t want to stomp and possibly kill the plants before they have a chance to grow in place. (2) Please wait until AFTER EarthBalance has completed their work planting if you wish to install sand fencing and/or post-and-rope borders along the walkways. The Sand Fencing/Post-and-Rope “Rules of Engagement” can be accessed via this FACT SHEET AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.
4/12/2021 - LIBERTY ISLAND & ELLIS ISLAND CONTINUE AT LINE 4 (RHETT STREET) HEADING WEST AND AT 14th STREET (LINE 5) HEADING EAST TOWARDS THE LOWER NUMBERED STREETS, RESPECTIVELY.
SEE 4/12/2021 PROGRESS MAP – Not much change over the weekend in a macroscopic sense. The hopper dredge Liberty Island continues pumping WESTWARD from Rhett Street on “Line 4” to tie in with the beach fill at Elizabeth Street. They were at Bryan Street this morning. In the same vein, the Ellis Island continues pumping from “Line 5” at 14th Street heading EAST towards the lower number street after refueling yesterday (4/11). They will continue at 12th Street later today after testing Submerged Pipeline #6 (“Line 6”) located near 24th Street this morning (SEE 4/12/2021 PROGRESS MAP. Photos below are from Friday, 4/9/2021.
| BEACH PHOTOS - 4/9/2021 |
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|---|---|---|
| CRAB 1 | CRAB 2 | Pumping Out |
4/8/2021 (WEEKEND UPDATE) – WORK AT LINE 3 ALMOST COMPLETE. LIBERTY ISLAND NOW AT LINE 4 (RHETT STREET) HEADING WEST. ELLIS ISLAND TO BE MOBILIZED TO LINE 5 LATER TODAY AT 14th STREET HEADING EAST TOWARDS THE LOWER NUMBERED STREETS – “BERM ONLY”.
IMPORTANT NOTES (SEE 4/8/2021 PROGRESS MAP):
(A) The hopper dredge Ellis Island will finish pumping at LINE 3 later today, meaning nourishment is complete all the way from Sound-of-the-Sea condominiums to Elizabeth Street (roughly 21,800 linear feet or 4.1 miles).
(B) The hopper dredges Ellis Island and Liberty Island will perform a mini “switcheroo” today
(B1) Later today, the Ellis Island will mobilize over to LINE 5 at 14th Street to continue pumping EAST from this point towards the lower numbered streets. A refueling event is planned for Sunday April 11th, which will take a majority of the day.
(B2) The Liberty Island has been directed off of LINE 5 at 14th Street and is now serving LINE 4 at Rhett Street. They are working WEST back to tie-in with the finished beach fill at Elizabeth Street – they were at Grace Ct. at noon time today. (again see 4/8/2021 PROGRESS MAP).
(C) “Berm Only” and “Hot-Spot” – The proposed nourishment area encompassing the beach between the Dog-Leg 4WD Ramp and 5th Street has a “berm only” template (no dune installation – just flat beach). Why?
(1) We constructed the dune and added flat part of the beach (berm) to this reach during our Phase I Project in 2019, so the dune that hurricane Florence removed in 2018 has already been replaced in this area. However, our nourishment volume was below the amount of sand loss documented for hurricane Florence (+38.2 cubic yards/linear foot added in 2019 vs. -43.8 cubic years/linear foot lost in 2018). This was one of the collateral design issues we had back in late 2018 trying to get the most critical areas of Bogue Banks nourished with the financial resources we had in-hand at the time. This was months and months before FEMA fixed-cost funding to Pine Knoll Shores, Indian Beach, and Emerald Isle was approved; and was also months before the General Assembly even passed legislation enabling communities to apply for State funding as well.
(2) Equally important, the numbered streets (particularly 10th through 20th streets) are a known erosion “hot spot” based on two decades worth of detailed beach monitoring; and thus require more frequent infusions of sand. This will be the sixth time since 2003 this area has received nourishment. Moreover for this year’s project, we evaluated several beachfill designs to try enhance the longevity of the beachfill (see Memo). The following is a series of “before and immediately after Florence, and today” photos taken at 12th Street – again, the aim of the Post-Florence Project as a whole is to build back the portion of the dune system Florence took away and provide a healthy berm (i.e., flat part of the beach or “where the chairs and towels are”).
PLEASE SEE 4/5/2021 PROGRESS MAP FOR “LINE” LOCATIONS.
Please note we have three submerged pipeline (LINES) that will eventually be in use this week, hence three different zones.
(1) The easiest one to conceptualize first (see 4/5/2021 PROGRESS MAP) – the hopper dredge Liberty Island refueled over the Easter weekend and has been sent to serve LINE 5, which is located at 14th Street. Nourishment will proceed EAST of this point thus expect the area near 14th to 10th Street or even beyond to be active this week.
(2) The largest hopper dredge in the U.S , the Ellis Island is currently serving LINE 3 which emerges on the beach at Scotch Bonnet and nourishment has been advancing EAST from this point. The spreader plate (where the slurry of sand and water outfalls on the beach) was at Hurst Road this morning and will continue east to roughly Fairfax Road to finish pumping from LINE 3 by April 10th, which leads us smartly leads us to….
(3) On or about April 10th (say this upcoming weekend), the Ellis Island will transition to LINE 4 located at Rhett Street and nourishment will advance back to the WEST as depicted in the 4/5/2021 PROGRESS MAP.
*(updated 4/2/2021)
PLEASE SEE 4/2/2021 PROGRESS MAP FOR “LINE” LOCATIONS.
DON’T FORGET - STAY OFF THE DUNES
(A) This evening (April 1st) the large hopper dredge, Ellis Island is going to complete the “tie in” between Craig Street and Arthur Drive, which will conclude all pumping activities associated with “LINE 2”. *Last LINE 2 load was actually delivered in the sunlight morning hours of 4/2. Tomorrow (Friday April 2nd) therefore is a big day for two reasons (see 4/2/2021 PROGRESS MAP);
(1) The long LINE 2 pipe string extending from the west of Bogue Inlet Pier all the way east to Arthur Drive will be dis-assembled and moved to service LINE 4 near Rhett Drive. This means the beach near Bogue Inlet Pier will be free of pipe this weekend as well. However, please pay attention and remain cognizant of all the heavy equipment that will be going back and forth between LINES 2 and 4 to move the pipe.
(2) The Ellis Island will begin pumping through LINE 4 tomorrow, which emerges at Rhett Street - nourishment will progress west from this point. *See note below.
(B) The Liberty Island remains pumping off of LINE 3 and nourishment is heading east of this pipeline landing at Scotch Bonnett Drive – the “spreader plate” (slurry outfall) was located near East Summer Place this morning heading towards Hurst Street, etc. Please note however that the Liberty Island is scheduled for refueling – likely Friday (partially) and Saturday. Obviously there will be no activity on LINE 3 at this time. *See note below.
*NOTE: The Ellis Island will actually go to LINE 3 beginning on April 2nd, the Liberty Island will go to LINE 4 subsequent to refueling (late Saturday or Sunday).
(C) THE NEW DUNES NEED YOUR SUPPORT! - Please help us help the survivability and integrity of the dunes by keeping away from the new (and even older) plants that we will begin installing later this month. Wanton, unabated type of foot traffic can be a big issue. The accompanying photo are sea oat plantings that were germinated from seed obtained in Emerald Isle back in October of 2020 by our subcontractor Earth Balance. We stipulated native dune plants must be used taking a “full circle” approach. The dune planting effort just for Phase III project includes well over half a million plants and is a big investment of mostly sea oats from seed, and bitter panicum and seashore elder from cuttings (photos from the greenhouse earlier this week are below).
| EARTH BALANCE GREENHOUSE PHOTOS - 3/29/2021 |
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|---|---|---|
| Sea Oats | Bitter Panicum | Seashore Elder |
Nice progress this past week and we’re on the move (SEE 3/29/2021 PROGRESS MAP).
(1) The Liberty Island finished pumping west to roughly Arthur Drive from where “LINE 3” lands on the beach (near Scotch Bonnet Drive), and as of this past Saturday is now heading east from Scotch Bonnet Drive currently passing Whitewater Drive.
(2) The Ellis Island is currently serving “LINE 2”, which lands west of Bogue Inlet Pier and nourishment continues eastward from this point as we tie in the beachfill from the Liberty Island at Arthur Drive (again see 3/29/2021 PROGRESS MAP). We expect to be completed with this section on or about April 2nd and the Ellis Island will relocate to LINE 4 at Rhett Street and start pumping west from this point on April 2nd (just in time for this upcoming weekend to clear the entire LINE 2 beach region of pipe).
3/25/2021 - PIPE FLIPPED AND UNDER THE PIER; BEACHFILL HEADING TOWARDS EACH OTHER. NEW PHOTOS.
Both dredges (the Ellis Island and Liberty Island) and the “lines” they are serving are now working towards each other since the pipe has been flipped at “Line 2” and nourishment begun progressing eastward from this pipeline landing and therefore under Bogue Inlet Pier. As the 3/25/2021 PROGRESS MAP depicts, the outfall for the slurry of sand and water pumping from the Liberty Island (and thus Line 3) is near Bluewater Drive this morning, while the slurry pumped from the Ellis Island is near Eastview Drive (think the beach behind the Emerald Isle Post Office). Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is also attempting to set “Line 4” this morning for future use (see Progress Map for location of Line 4). Otherwise, there were some good photo opportunities at Bogue Inlet Pier last night as sand was pumped underneath the pier (see below).
| 3/24/2021, 18:00 - BOGUE INLET PIER |
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| Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3 |
| Photo 4 | Photo 5 | Photo 6 |
Both hopper dredges on site (the Ellis Island and Liberty Island) are having a strong first week working in tandem after the Ellis Island arrived and started this past Tuesday (3/16) and despite having a one weather day to contend with as well. We’re scheduled to “flip the pipe” on line 2 tomorrow, which emerges on the beach just west of Bogue Inlet Pier. The Ellis Island has been serving this line since her arrival progressing west for the pipeline landing towards Sound-of-the Sea. She has almost completed this western leg (discharge is at Heverly Dr. this morning), and will start progressing EAST of the pipeline landing and therefore under the pier and heading towards the Black Skimmer 4-wheel Drive Access (SEE 3/22/2021 PROGRESS MAP). This eastern leg will be one of the main construction zone this week. Meanwhile the Liberty Island is pumping away on “Line 3” which emerges onto the beach near Scotch Bonnet Drive and is progressing west heading towards the Black Skimmer 4-wheel Drive Access, but obviously from the other direction than the Ellis Island and Line 2. The outfall/discharge point was in between Nina Drive and Azure Drive this morning. This is our second main construction zone for this week.
True to the schedule, the Ellis Island arrived yesterday and pumped the first load to the beach at roughly 8 pm (photos below of the 3rd load earlier today). The Ellis Island as mentioned many times before is the largest hopper dredge in the U.S. and accordingly takes a little longer to fill and pump-out; and thus her round trip cycle takes a little longer than the Liberty Island. Regardless, each of the dredges now on site are using two separate submerged pipeline landings (sublines or "lines") - 3/17/2021 PROGRESS MAP. The Liberty Island is using "Line 3" which emerges near Scotch Bonnet Drive - they are working west from this point and were at Santa Maria Drive this morning. Meanwhile, the Ellis Island is using "Line 2" just west of Bogue Inlet Pier - they are currently progressing west of this point towards Sound-of-the-Sea (the discharge was located near Mangrove Driver earlier today). And lastly we are expecting bad weather and rough seas beginning Thursday afternoon, which will force a shut down of a day (or possibly more).
| 3rd LOAD FROM ELLIS ISLAND, NEAR MANGROVE DRIVE, 3/17/2021, 12:30 pm |
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| Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3 |
3/15/2021 - TWO DREDGES – TWO DISCRETE NOURISHMENT AREAS. ELLIS ISLAND TO ARRIVE TOMORROW
The dredge Liberty Island has been focusing her attention on “Line 3”, which is east of Bogue Inlet Pier near Scotch Bonnet Drive. They are progressing west from this point and this move was predicated over the weekend for two main reasons, (1) they wanted to get a “pad” or base going for the Ellis Island, which is scheduled to arrive and begin on Tuesday (tomorrow). And subsequently and unexpectedly: (2) the Liberty Island developed a mechanical issue, so to reduce her sail time, she will now stay on Line 3. Hence why there was no activity this past weekend at Line 2 which is located just too the west of Bogue Inlet Pier. Once the Ellis Island arrives and starts, which is anticipated to be on Tuesday, she will now focus on Line 2, while the Liberty Island will stay on Line 3. Map of submerged pipeline landings are included in the 3/15/2021 PROGRESS MAP. The Liberty Island should be fully operational on Wednesday once a one-day type of repair is complete. As always please be cognizant that beach nourishment is a gigantic 24-hour, 7 days a week construction effort and be safe and respectful of the flagging when visiting the site.
3/10/2021 - DRONE VIDEO, REACH 1 (Far West Emerald Isle) COMPLETE, CENTRAL EMERALD ISLE REACH STARTED.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock and the their hopper dredge, the Liberty Island delivered the last load of sand to Reach 1 (Far West Emerald Isle) yesterday (SEE COMPLETED MAP) and followed by placing the first load of sand in Central Emerald Isle (reach 3) last night as well - See 3/10/2021 PROGRESS MAP). Also the second hopper dredge (the Ellis Island) is now expected to arrive a day or two early (March 15th or 16th) and will serve the "3rd Pipeline Landing" as the Liberty Island will continue to work on "Line 2". And lastly, we were able to collect some drone footage of the last load for Reach 1 yesterday (see immediately below).
Drone Video 1 - https://youtu.be/Se2JurPjXKs
Drone Video 2 - https://youtu.be/6tfHDXqJXL4
| DRONE PHOTOS - 3/9/2021 3:30 pm |
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| Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3 |
3/8/2021 - REACH 1 (Far West Emerald Isle) ALMOST COMPLETE, SHOULD START ON "LINE 2" TOMORROW.
Roughly 5,000 linear feet of the total 6,000 linear feet associated with Reach 1 located in Far Western Emerald Isle has been completed as of this morning (SEE 3/8/2021 PROGRESS MAP). Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is pumping sand now east of from the submerged pipeline (subline) landing depicted in the progress map after "flipping the pipe" at the subline last week. We could be completed with Reach 1 entirely sometime this evening and transition to Central Emerald Isle and "Reach 3". The 2nd subline (a.k.a. - "Line 2") is located west of Bogue Inlet Pier, where again sand will be pumped west, then east of the subline landing. As a friendly reminder and again now that portions of the newly nourished beach are open for public use, PLEASE STAY OFF THE NEW DUNES (foot traffic wise and no 4WD vehicles). Thank you – the dunes will be planted with sea oats and bitter panicum in a couple of months and we don’t want the integrity of the dune to be compromised before then.
| PHOTOS - Station 49+00, 3/8/2021, 8:30 am |
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| Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3 |
3/3/2021 - GOOD FIRST WEEK OF PRODUCTIVITY, COULD "FLIP THE PIPE" TODAY IN REACH 1
The hopper dredge, Liberty Island has been working non-stop since she started through the fog, wind, and other elements this past weekend; and through more favorable sea conditions so far this week. She has a 6,540 cubic yard capacity or as one can think of it --- she can hold 6,540 cubic yards “of air”. In reality, she is holding/transporting, pumping closer to 4,800 – 5,000 cubic yards per load, which is indicative of pumping really nice, heavy sand. A dump truck holds rough 12 cubic yards of wet sand as mental image. We’re on our farthest reach from the borrow site (the ODMDS) and it’s taking roughly 6 hours to complete an entire cycle = dredging, sailing to west Emerald Isle, pumping out the hopper dredge to the beach, sailing back to the borrow source – repeat. Productivity will improve some as the cycle time will get shorter once we complete “Reach 1” along far Western Emerald Isle and move to central Emerald Isle and therefore closer to the borrow site and thus a shorter sail distance (both to and from). Add to that, we should really see a big productivity push once the second dredge arrives in mid-March – the Ellis Island – the largest hopper dredge in the United States holding 14,800 cubic yards “of air” – likely over 10,000 cy of sand per load.
Thus far, approximately 2,400 linear feet of beach has been completed as we head west from the submerged pipeline landing at Point Emerald Villas (SEE 3/3/2021 PROGRESS MAP). We should complete this west run (or “leg”) tonight and then “flip the pipe” and start heading east from the subline landing at Point Emerald Villas to eventually complete the reach. Thus the western leg of the reach should be open back to the public starting sometime tomorrow and to this end – PLEASE STAY OFF THE NEW DUNES (foot traffic wise and no 4WD vehicles). Thank you – the dunes will be planted with sea oats and bitter panicum in a couple of months and we don’t want the integrity of the dune to be compromised before then.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock’s hopper dredge, the Liberty Island dredged, hauled, and pumped the first load of sand from the ODMDS to reach 1 in far Western Emerald Isle at roughly 8:30 pm yesterday evening (SEE 2/27/201 PROGRESS MAP). The slurry of sand & water (roughly 80% water and 20% sand) is being pumped from the dredge through a floating hose positioned offshore that is affixed to “the cube”, which serves as an interface between the floating hose/probe and the submerged pipeline (“subline”) that was installed several weeks ago. The slurry is discharged through the dredge to the probe/floating hose apparatus, through the cube, and through the subline to the beach where shore pipe is added to the west, then east from where the subline lands near Point Emerald Villas. (see PHOTOS below). We have “ok” seas in the forecast this weekend so hopefully we’ll see some good productivity this first week.
| PUMP-OUT PHOTOS - 3rd Load, 2/27/2021, 8:45 am |
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| Photo 1 | Photo 2 | Photo 3 | Photo 4 | Photo 5 | Photo 6 |
2/24/2021 - LIBERTY ISLAND ARRIVED MONDAY – REPAIRS UNDERWAY – PROJECT START PLANNED FOR TOMORROW
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock’s hopper dredge, the Liberty Island arrived this Monday but has to undergo a repair (welding) while anchored at one of the Morehead City Port berths before work can commence. The vessel Lady Paige has begun trawling the ODMDS borrow site as part of endangered/threatened species relocation efforts to minimize any interaction with the dredge. We anticipate dredging to start late tomorrow (2/25/2021), with the first load being delivered to Reach 1 (far western Emerald Isle) a few hours later. With respect to the second dredge scheduled to work on the project (the Ellis Island) – while still tentative, her arrival is expected sometime on March 17th/18th. The Ellis Island will work in tandem with the Liberty Island until the project is completed by the April 30th deadline. Initially, we are planning for the Liberty Island to service the 1st submerged pipeline (subline) landing in Reach 1 and the 2nd subline landing in central Emerald Isle, located west of Bogue Inlet Pier (MAP). The Ellis Island, when she arrives, will begin pumping from subline 3 and then leapfrog to subline 4 – both of which are located east of Bogue Inlet Pier (again, see MAP). And lastly, the CRAB (amphibious survey vehicle) is being constructed and will be a prominent feature along the project landscape (SEE PHOTO – 2/23/2021).
The hopper dredge Liberty Island is scheduled to set sail from a current job in Florida to arrive and start our Phase III Project in earnest (dredging, hauling, pumping sand) on February 21st - this upcoming Sunday. As mentioned in previous updates, the nourishment will begin in the far west Emerald Isle Reach (REACH 1 MAP). Sand will be pumped from the dredge through the submerged pipeline that lands near Point Emerald Villas. The nourishment operation will work west, then east from this point until the reach is completed, and will subsequently "leapfrog" to the next reach to the east (Reach 3 - see MAP).
2/10/2021 - SAME SCHEDULE. NEW PLANTING, SAND FENCING, AND POST & ROPE NOTES. NEW PSA AND SAND FENCING FACT SHEET!
(1) SCHEDULE - The hopper dredge Liberty Island remains on schedule to arrive and begin the project in earnest on February 20th as discussed in previous updates (see below).
(2) DUNE PLANTS - A detailed dune planting work scope is included in the dredging contract, which incorporates the planting, fertilization, and initial watering of several 100,000s of sea oats on top and mostly down the entire slope of the newly constructed dune. The Sea Oats will be augmented with Bitter Panicum and Seashore Elder (see the DUNE BOOK; Pages 12 - 16 for a description of the plants). The contract also stipulates the use of native plants only and to this end, the subcontractor (Earth Balance) obtained seeds and cuttings of plants from Emerald Isle this past October and have since been germinated and are waiting in the greenhouse ready to be planted once the nourishment phase of the project is completed (see photos below).
| EARTH BALANCE GREENHOUSE PHOTOS - 2/9/2021 |
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| Sea Oats | Bitter Panicum | Seashore Elder |
(3) SAND FENCING - Have a question concerning sand fencing or installing post & rope walkways? Then see this great, new video style Public Service Announcement from the Town of Emerald Isle and the Sand Fencing Fact Sheet above.
2/4/2021 - GETTING EVERYTHING SET FOR THE FEBRAURY 20th
The hopper dredge Liberty Island remains on schedule to arrive and begin the parade of dredging, holding, sailing, and pumping sand on the beach on February 20th - starting in Reach 1 (far west Emerald Isle). The Liberty Island will complete reach 1 and generally progress or "leapfrog" across reaches 3, 4, and 5 in a west to east direction - generally through central and east Emerald Isle. As mentioned many times in the past, the second, larger capacity dredge (the Ellis Island) is expected to arrive later in the project to help complete the work - as late as April 1st but we are working diligently to see her arrival sooner. The Liberty Island and Ellis Island are working in Florida and Charleston SC , respectively and have been feverishly been trying to compete their work at these jobs while also encountering COVID-related issues both at sea and on-land.
1/27/2021 - 2nd SUBMERGED PIPELINE LANDING SET IN REACH 3; START DATE PUSHED BACK TO ROUGHLY FEBRUARY 20th
This past Sunday (1/24/2021), Great Lakes Dredge & Dock took advantage of the calm seas and set the 2nd submerged pipeline just west of Bogue Inlet Pier in Reach 3 (see Station "187+50" in the Area of Detail Map). These submerged pipelines will be "leap-frogged" west to east across the project as nourishment progresses in that general direction. Otherwise, our start date has been pushed back to roughly February 20th. The hopper dredge Liberty Island and Ellis Island have encountered issues at their current jobs in Florida and South Carolina, respectively causing some scheduling changes in terms of their arrival times here. The arrival of the dredges could now nearly coincide with one another to help complete the project before the April 30th environmental window closes for the sea turtle nesting season and other biological resources.
1/20/2021 - 1st SUBMERGED PIPELINE LANDING SET IN REACH 1; FEBRUARY 12th CONTINUES TO BE THE START DATE
The mobilization process is in full swing as equipment is being delivered to the Dog-Leg 4WD Access and perhaps more encouraging, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) set the 1st submerged pipeline ("subline") in Reach 1 yesterday (1/19/2021) - see map and photos below. Sand will be pumped through this subline once the hopper dredge Liberty Island arrives as pipe will be added to the subline to pump sand west, then east from the subline landing point at the Point Emerald Villas/Lands End boundary. Again, we are expected to dredge, hold, sail, and pump-out the first load of sand from the ODMDS borrow site on February 12th.
| PHOTOS - 1/20/2021 |
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| Subline Photo #1 | Subline Photo #2 | Subline Photo #3 | Subline Photo #4 |
1/13/2021 - MOBILIZATION SCHEDULE GENERALLY THE SAME, START DATE PUSHED TO FEBRAURY 12th
Akin to building a house from the ground up (i.e., there’s always delays), Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) has shifted the start of the project by a couple of weeks (see 1/6/2021 update immediately below). The hopper dredge Liberty Island is thus scheduled to start on February 12th in Reach 1 (far west Emerald Isle) rather than during the last week of January as initially planned. While inconvenient perhaps, there is no cause for alarm – we started our Phase II project last year (2020) on February 5th with a similar amount of cubic yards (just north of 2 million cubic yards) albeit a shorter sail distances to and from the borrow sources compared to the Phase III Project. However, GLDD is already planning to keep the second and larger capacity hopper dredge, the Ellis Island on-site for a longer period of time to meet the April 30th project completion deadline. Otherwise, the mobilization schedule pretty much remains the same – water based equipment has started arriving on-site in the Harbor (Morehead City) and the land-based equipment should start arriving next week (again using the dog-leg” 4-WD ramp near the Emerald Isle’s Eastern Regional Access as the main entry point to and from the beach).
1/6/2021 - LOOKING TO START THE LAST WEEK OF JANUARY
The project sponsors (Carteret County and Emerald Isle), Engineers (Moffatt & Nichol), dredging contractor (Great Lakes Dredge & Dock), and State and federal resource agencies had our first weekly meeting earlier today for the Phase III Project. The water-based equipment (submerged lines, tugs, ancillary vessels, etc.) should begin arriving later this week and the land-based pipe, office shacks, and “yellow steel” (bulldozers, front-end loaders, etc.) are scheduled to begin to be delivered to the site via flatbed trucks late next week. The “dog-leg” 4-WD ramp near the Emerald Isle’s Eastern Regional Access will be the main access point for mobilizing and temporary staging this equipment. The hopper dredge Liberty Island is scheduled to arrive and begin dredging/sailing/pumping sand somewhere in the January 24th - 31st timeframe. REACH 1 (far west Emerald Isle) will be nourished first (see MAP).
10/27/2020 – PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING, LOGISTICAL NOTES, END OF JANUARY
The project sponsors (Carteret County and Emerald Isle), Engineers (Moffatt & Nichol), and the dredging contractor (Great Lakes Dredge & Dock) had a pre-construction meeting earlier today with State and federal resource agencies that essentially “kicks-off” the project. Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) plans to mobilize land- and water-based pipe, heavy equipment, personnel, etc. starting in December and dredging/pumping is scheduled to begin in the final week of January 2021. The "dog-leg" 4WD Ramp near the Emerald Isle Eastern Regional Access will serve as the main point to load and stage the land-based pipe.
The dredge Liberty Island will arrive on-site first and will generally progress and “leapfrog” west to east in Central & East Emerald Isle. At some point in mid-March the larger hopper dredge, the Ellis Island will accompany the Liberty Island and serve the Bogue Inlet Ocean Reach, and could subsequent stay on site to help complete the project before the April 30th environmental window closes for the sea turtle nesting season and other biological resources.
As described below, subsequent to completing a “cut” and filling the hopper, the dredge will travel and discharge (pump) sand via a buoyed interface located offshore that transitions to the pre-construction dry beach via a long submerged pipeline (or "subline"). A secondary “elbow’ connection is used to transport material in one direction (east), then the other direction (west) along the beach to complete approximately 1 - 2 mile sections as lengths of pipe are added and subsequently broken down. The pick-up line/subline/elbow assemblies are subsequently transited (leapfrogged) down the beach until the nourishment reaches have been filled. The following maps have been updated depicting the approximate locations where the sublines will land for Central & East Emerald Isle and Bogue Inlet Ocean.
HOW TO INTERPRET THE PROGRESS MAPS
for The Post Florence Renourishment Project (Phase III)
Phase III of the Post Florence Renourishment Project will utilize 2,012,850 cubic yards (cy) of sand obtained from the Offshore Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) associated with Morehead City Federal Navigation Project. The project includes four discrete reaches totaling 9.4 linear miles of beach in Emerald Isle - Bogue Inlet Ocean (166,350 cy), West Emerald Isle (708,750 cy), Central Emerald Isle (537,750 cy), and East Emerald Isle (600,000 cy) as depicted in the Project Construction Map above. As a mental picture, a conventional dump truck holds roughly 12 cubic yards of wet sand. The project is scheduled to be conducted between January 1 to April 30, 2021 and therefore within the construction window established to limit impacts to biological resources. The dredging contract has been awarded to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock and the ocean-certified, self-contained hopper dredges Liberty Island and Ellis Island will be employed for the project - similar to the Phase I and Phase II efforts in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Hopper dredges utilize dragheads affixed to trailing-arm suction pipes mounted on both sides of the vessel (port and starboard). The dragheads loosen the sand on the bottom off the seafloor and deliver the material to the vessel’s “belly” via the suction arms. Subsequent to completing a “cut” and filling the hopper, the dredge will travel and discharge (pump) sand via a buoyed apparatus located offshore that connects to a submerged pipeline extending to the pre-construction dry beach. A secondary, land-based discharge pipe is used to transport material in one direction (east or west), then the other direction along the beach to complete approximately 1 - 2 mile sections as lengths of pipe are added and subsequently broken down. The buoyed apparatus/submerged pipeline assembly assembly is subsequently transited down the beach until the nourishment reaches have been filled. Dredged sand is bulldozed into general construction specifications for subsequent grading into final contours, possibly tilled, and opened for recreational use. The dredges Liberty Island has a maximum capacity of 6,540 cy and the Ellis Island 14,800 cy under optimal conditions.
Project engineers use “stations” positioned along the beach to monitor construction progress and to verify in-place volumes of sand pumped on the beach by dredging contractors. The progress maps above provide detailed views of the Post Florence Renourishment Project (Phase III) reaches to be completed in 2021 with the location/identification of the station numbers and the location of the submerged pipeline positions. buoyed pipelines. The shaded areas in red represent the completed portions of the project and will be updated on a weekly basis (at least) throughout construction.
The station numbers included in the progress maps conveniently correspond to thousands of linear feet along the beach. For instance, the distance between station “197+00” (Bogue Inlet Pier) and “224+00” (Black Skimmer Ramp) in the Area of Detail graphic above is 2,700 feet. If you visit the beaches of Emerald Isle this winter, you may see wood or metal stakes at the base of the dunes that will identify these station numbers as such.
PROJECT PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION
The geographical extents and basic geometries of the Phase III, Post Florence Renourishment Project are included in the accompanying "Key Documents" on top of this webpage, and the Project sequencing as a whole (Phases I through III) was based upon both design and cash-flow considerations. Weeks Marine and Great Lakes Dredge & Dock furnished bids for the Phase III effort with the former (Great Lakes) providing the lowest awardable bid price. Great Lakes was also our Phase I and II contractor.
In cross-section going from the top of the dune seaward, the beachfill will be contoured by; (1) tying into the existing, eroded frontal dune at mostly +12 to +14 feet NAVD 88 and maintaining that top dune elevation at vary lengths as one progresses seaward, (2) the slope of the newly constructed frontal dune will be graded on a 5:1 slope to the elevation of +6 feet NAVD 88, (3) the beach berm (flat part of the beach) will be extended from that point seaward at +6 feet NAVD 88 at varying lengths, and (4) the slope of the fill from the berm crest out to sea will be on a 20:1 slope. The newly created dune crest and dune slope will be planted (vegetated) with predominantly Sea Oats as part of the contract (see typical cross-section above). Note: The Reach 5 (East Emerald Isle) nourishment template is "berm only" as dune construction was completed in 2019 as part of the Phase I effort.
The borrow source for this nourishment effort is the Offshore Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS) associated with Morehead City Federal Navigation Project. This dump site is essentially a repository for dredged material historically extracted from the Outer Harbor reach of the navigation channel and based upon experiences with a 2004 and 2007 Section 933 Project that utilized channel material for beach nourishment and the 2004, 2007, 2013, 2019, and 2020 post hurricane projects that actually utilized the ODMDS; we expect the sand quality to be excellent. This also makes intuitive sense, because for the most part, the shoal material that enters the navigation channel at Beaufort Inlet is sand that has traveled from adjacent beaches. Construction, or deepening material that resides in the ODMDS should be avoided. To this effect the firm of Moffatt & Nichol, who has been retained by the Bogue Banks communities as the engineering consultant for the Post-Florence Renourishment Project, has performed additional sediment sampling and analyses in the ODMDS to hone the areas of beach quality sand.
| EARTH BALANCE GREENHOUSE PHOTOS - 2/9/2021 |
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| Sea Oats | Bitter Panicum | Seashore Elder |
| EARTH BALANCE GREENHOUSE PHOTOS - 2/9/2021 |
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| Sea Oats | Bitter Panicum | Seashore Elder |
| EARTH BALANCE GREENHOUSE PHOTOS - 2/9/2021 |
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| Sea Oats | Bitter Panicum | Seashore Elder |
| EARTH BALANCE GREENHOUSE PHOTOS - 2/9/2021 |
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| Sea Oats | Bitter Panicum | Seashore Elder |