Following its initial restoration in 1979, this area experienced the highest rates of beach renourishment transport and erosional losses of any area in Miami-Dade County. Since that time, over ten separate nourishment events have been required to maintain even a minimal beach, including several major projects conducted by the Corps. Due to these high erosion rates, this area was the focus of the County’s earliest efforts to address erosional hotspots, and continues to receive a high level of scrutiny today.

In 2000, Coastal Systems International completed the first comprehensive assessment of this erosional hotspot. It was determined that the high erosion rates were the result of a change in the shoreline orientation at approximately 32nd Street from a direct North / South to a more westerly direction. This change resulted in a curve in the shoreline which was highly susceptible to wave attack from the northeast, which would essentially push sand from the “curve” to the south.

The study concluded that in order to maintain a beach in that area, it would be necessary to anchor the fill through the use of structures, and transition from the erosional area, to the more stable areas to the south. Although there was initial resistance from the permitting agencies, a design consisting of three, shore-attached, emergent breakwater structures was approved.

The limerock structures decreased in size and distance from the beach going from north to south, with the largest being 215’ in length, and the smallest 75’. As the structures were constructed, approximately 125,000 cubic yards of sand was excavated from an accretional area south of the project, and used to backfill behind the structures in an attempt to minimize downdrift impacts. Construction was completed in July 2002, and renourishment activities were conducted in July 2006 and another activity is currently underway and is expected to be completed by November 2007.

The implementation of beach erosion control construction activities requires regulatory approvals from one or more Federal, State, or local agencies.