Ocean Caraibes - Coastal & Environmental Consulting, Engineering & Oceanography
  

 

Coastal, Environmental & Water Resources Engineers
  
 
 

 

         

           Cell:  767.316.0348
      Skype:  ocean.caraibes
  USA Fax:    419.728.4924

 

   E-Mail: ocean@cwdom.dm
 

    Beach Creation, Restoration & Nourishment
   

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Ocean Caraibes specializes in creating beautiful beaches
in impossible areas.


Inquire about rehabilitating
or re-nourishing your beach
for optimum coastal shoreline protection & preservation.

 

 

 

All data obtained by Ocean Caraibes during a reconnaissance survey site visit & is used in the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment Study)

Ocean Caraibes has solved complex beach rehabilitation and coastal erosion problems in Mexico, South & Central America, the Caribbean and Oceania for over 25 years. 

 

Beach creation can be accomplished by utilizing a combination of methods that will not cause negatively effect adjacent coastlines.

  • Groyne / Gronye field

  • T-breakwater

  • Artificial Reefs

  • Offshore detached breakwater (above or below the surface)

  • By placing a given quantity of sand inland within a specific profile

Beach replenishment (also described as nourishment) is a process by which sand, lost through long-shore drift or erosion, is replaced from sources outside of the eroding beach. Generally, this is a repetitive process, as nourished beaches have a tendency to erode faster than natural beaches unless other measures are brought into practice to reduce the rate of erosion.
 

Beach nourishment is part of a larger coastal defense scheme. Studies and suggest that wider beaches reduce storm damage by dissipating wave energy across surf and beach zones. 
 

 

Description of a Beach Creation or Restoration Project Survey

 

Each site and project presents its own specific challenges as no two site are alike even in the same area. The first step is for the consultant to make a site visit and reconnaissance survey of the site and adjacent coastline. This is done by a walking /driving the entire site- making an underwater reconnaissance survey by being towed behind a small boat or rubber dinghy and by view the site and adjacent coastline from a high perk and out at sea.

 

In most cases a hydrographic and bathymetry survey is necessary of the site and adjacent coastline -The following studies are also carried out during the initial site visit- after a desk study has been carried out by the consultant prior to his arrival.

 

  • Wind speed and direction records are obtained from the closet airport for the past 10 years if possible.

  • Basis geotechnical survey is carried out on land and in the near shore area.

  • Sand samples are obtained from the site and adjacent areas. (The samples are taken back to the office for a standard sand grain size analysis.

  • Underwater and land photographs are taken of the site and adjacent coastline.

  • The onshore/offshore sand depth is measured

  • Quite often the loss of a beach is caused by  excesses storm water runoff on land which could be due to lack of vegetation, or lack of any water convenience or channel to carry the excess water off the land

  • Current speed and direction are determined

  • An underwater reconnaissance survey is done by snorkeling the entire site and adjacent coastline (for large site a rapid site assessment is done by being towed behind a small boat or rubber dinghy).

  • A rapid assessment is made of the species of fish and population density of fish.

  • A rapid assessment is made of the type of coral and its general health

  • A rapid assessment is made of the marine life and its general health and density. The geomorphology of the site and surrounding area is studied

  • The location of any river near the site is looked at and studies as rivers are very dynamic systems and have a great effect upon the coastline.

  • Establish a sand budget for the area.

  • Establish the direction/rate of alongshore drift.

  • Determine the wave type and period

  • The type of substrata is noted (sand, rocks, mud-valleys-gulley’s, small hills, etc)

  • Old photographs of the site and surrounding area are very helpful as well as old aerial and satellite photos . Reports/studies done in the area and a local nautical map. If the time and budget permits the consultant will visit the local Land & Survey Department to search for old aerial photographs, and site surveys. In some cases the consultant visits with the staff of the various local government department; fisheries, forestry, environmental unit, etc. 

  • All the data  obtain during the site visit is taken back to the office  and analyzed –calculation made and  the consultant prepares a report with various ways to mitigate the problem along with a cost analysis for each possible alternative.

 

  Materials Matter

 

 
Sand Grain Size

  

It is important that if beach sand is brought in from another site the grain size of the new sand matches the grain size of the existing sand on the beach.

 
Non-woven Geotextile

 

Good quality non-woven geotextile is used prior to placement of the boulders to keep the structure from undermining and behind the structure to allow for water to flow out whilst keeping the sediment in place.

 

 
Rock Armour (boulders)

  

Almost all our groynes, breakwaters, sea defense structures, seawall, etc. are constructed with large rock armour and are placed by a large crawler excavator (as opposed to be placed by a crane) by using a crawler excavator the boulders can be interlocked increasing the design life of the structure.