Spotlight on the OBX: Nags Head Beach Nourishment

Posted on July 7, 2011

Outer Banks: Nags Head Beach Nourishment 2011

The beaches of the Outer Banks are beautiful; however, they also are extremely fragile. There are many factors that have contributed to the erosion of our beaches throughout the years, including hurricanes, nor’easters, high winds and tidal changes. Starting late May, the Town of Nags Head began dredging sand and pumping onto the shore near Jennette’s Pier to help restore our beautiful beaches.

Once finished, the project will have “nourished” 10 miles of the Nags Head Coastline. Currently, 9,000 feet of beach has been completed between mile post 15 and Jennette’s pier and construction is moving forward better than expected.

Here’s the latest news on the progress of the project:

The first dredge to arrive on the project, the Liberty Island, started in the vicinity of Mile Post 15.5 and has finished just past Jennette’s Pier. The dredge is now located offshore near the Hargrove public beach access. Construction associated with the Liberty Island is now moving north from about the Hargrove beach access to the area just south of Jennette’s Pier. After finishing near Jennette’s Pier, the Liberty Island will move south again towards the Outer Banks Pier.

On Tuesday June 21, an additional dredge, the Texas, arrived from Norfolk and began pumping sand in south Nags Head. Construction related to the Texas is currently scheduled to first move north from Oregon Street, near Surfside Drive, to the Outer Banks Pier, where construction will meet work associated with the Liberty Island dredge.

The project plan calls for widening the beach by an average of ~50 to 150 feet. After initial construction, the beach may appear wider than expected because sand can only be placed on the upper part of the beach profile (say to 6 ft depth or so). Nature will redistribute sand to match a natural profile, meaning some sand will move offshore in the underwater portion of the beach profile (to ~20 ft deep). This does not mean the beach is losing sand; rather, the profile is adjusting following nourishment. The beach width will naturally decrease initially after the project. Obviously sand will erode from the project area over time, but with the sand closely matching the natural beach, erosion rates should be similar to what has been observed over recent years.

For the latest updates and schedules visit www.townofnagshead.net

Outer Banks: 3rd Annual Jockey’s Ridge Oyster Roast & Recycling

Posted on March 3, 2011

Outer Banks - Jockey's Ridge Oyster Roast & Recycling - 2011

Jockey’s Ridge is the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern United States. Located in Nags Head, it is one of the most significant landmarks on the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Always changing, always beautiful

3rd Annual George Barnes Valentine’s Day Oyster Roast & Recycling: Saturday, March 5, 2011. 10-2 p.m. rain or shine. Eat oysters and help the local ecosystem by planting & creating new environments for the oysters. Bagging of Oysters for a new reef will be taking place; you are welcome to bring gloves to join in.

Wild Oysters on the Road to Extinction?! At Least the Outer Banks Still Sees Some Abundance.

Posted on February 17, 2011

Outer Banks Oyster Roast

Are we on the brink of a wild oyster apocalypse?! Within one week, I have come across two articles discussing the possibility that wild oysters are approaching extinction. Say it aint so!

The simple pleasure of fresh oysters help us OBX’ers make it through the chilly winter months. Extinction should not be an option, but according to a new study, wild oysters are well on their way.

A team of researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz have examined 144 locations in 40 regions around the world where the wild oysters once thrived. The study found that overall conditions are poor for many species of wild oysters – so poor that the team deemed wild oysters to be functionally extinct, which means they no longer play a significant role in the ecosystem.

Functionally extinct?! No significant role in the ecosystem?! This is may seem trivial at first glance, but this is huge. Oysters are not only tasty, but they are also vital to healthy ecosystems…at least they used to be. Oysters filter impurities from the water, and this natural filtering system helps keep fish populations healthy and helps prevent coastal erosion. Pretty key elements of a coastal community.

Oysters are fast disappearing as 85 percent of the reefs that they inhabit have been destroyed by disease and over-harvesting, and the Gulf oil spill did huge damage to the oyster population in the Gulf region. The researchers recommend ratcheting up efforts in reef conservation, fisheries management and controlling the spread of non-native shellfish.

But. To end on a positive note, with some increased awareness and adjustments to regulations, it’s still possible to bring wild oysters back from the brink of extinction. And from the perspective of the Outer Banks, we are happy to report that oyster season was pretty decent this year. Good enough in fact to place a local restaurant, Awful Arthur’s Oyster Bar, on Eater.com’s list of top restaurants to enjoy the dwindling supply of wild oysters.

Outer Banks: 1st Annual Jockey’s Ridge Oyster Roast & Recycling

Posted on February 9, 2009

1st Annual George Barnes Valentine’s Day Oyster Roast & Recycling: February 14, 2009. 10-2 p.m. rain or shine. Eat oysters and help the local ecosystem by planting & creating new environments for the oysters. Bagging of Oysters for a new reef will be taking place; you are welcome to bring gloves join in.