BEACH NOURISHMENT AT VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA

Beach nourishment is currently one of the most popular types of costal protection employed by coastal planners and engineers. This study examines the history of beach nourishment at Virginia Beach, Virginia along with the city’s current management programs. Virginia Beach has one of the longest histories of beach nourishment along the east coast of the United States, with the first nourishment project beginning in 1949, and the city continues to use replenishment to maintain its two Atlantic Coast beaches (Sandbridge Beach and the Resort Beach). The current Storm Damage Reduction Project at Sandbridge Beach relies solely on beach nourishment while the Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project at the Resort Beach relies primarily on beach nourishment, which is supplemented by a seawall and enhanced dune system. Both programs are currently successful in maintaining the beach and protecting the coastal community, and both are cost effective. With global warming and sea level rise, the management projects at Virginia Beach will likely need to be continued and enhanced to maintain coastal protection.