Posted on December 13, 2016
By Alexandra Gallo, WJHG
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Coastal Management Branch is responsible for all ports and federal waterways in the Florida Panhandle. Survey crews go out a few times a year to test the water depths of channels to make sure they aren’t too shallow. If an area becomes too shallow, they dredge the sand out.
“We have survey crews go out to measure the water depths in the channels to identify places where it has gotten too shallow. When we find that it’s gotten shallow enough, we bring in a contract dredge to dig it back down to the correct depths,” said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Site Manager Waylon Register.
Survey crews found depths too shallow for cargo ships to pass through without restrictions in St. Andrews pass. A few weeks ago, they began a dredging project that will also re-nourish the beaches.
“They have to pick up the sand and put it somewhere. The sand is tested, it’s the same sand that comes off the beaches here from our area. We’re just a beneficiary, where they’re able to pump it back on the beach,” said St. Andrews State Park Manager Brian Addison.
Beach erosion is a big problem in St. Andrews. The re-nourishment will help slope the sand back to look more natural, creating a safer beach for the public.
“With St. Andrews having a beach on the channel side and on the Gulf side with the jetties, it’s an area that causes and enhances erosion.”
The famous cliff is standing taller than every after storms like Hurricane Hermine this past summer.
“Normal weather, when we get hurricanes, tropical storms, strong cold fronts, all of that creates strong currents and waves.”
The Army Corps of Engineers say this is a cost-effective way to get rid of the material.
“This is a win-win scenario. On the one hand, we have to dredge the channel out to make sure the ships can come and go without restrictions. On the other hand, we have to do something with the materials that we dig out of there. We partner with the State Park to find beneficial uses with the dredge material,” explained Register.
The re-nourishment will also benefit Gator Lake, one of the State Park’s seven natural habitats.
“It helps to put sand back, it maintains that dune for natural protection between the channel and the fresh water dune lake,” Addison explained.
There must be calm conditions for the dredge equipment to be out on the water, so weather could impact how long the project takes. Crews anticipate it will be finished before the end of the year.
This is a federally funded project expected to cost $1.5 million.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Coastal Management Branch is managing three other dredging projects currently, one in Apalachicola and two in Pensacola.
Source: WJHG
