Atlantic City can be found on the northern end of Absecon Island. Known
for its casinos, Atlantic City also built the first boardwalk in the
USA.
Of all the barrier islands in New Jersey, Absecon Island has suffered
the most damage due to storm and wave attacks. The four towns on this
island experienced extensive erosion and flooding during severe storm
events. Very little beach remained to protect the businesses built on
or beyond the boardwalk. Previously, Atlantic City did little to protect
their dunes.
In a joint effort, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the NJ Department
of Environmental Protection have recently completed the first stage
of the Absecon Island Shore Protection project. This project was designed
to protect the businesses and residents on the island by nourishing
their beaches and building dunes. In the plan for Atlantic City, dredging
companies under the direction of the Army Corps of Engineers, built
a 200 ft wide beach with a sand dune that rose 2-3 ft above the boardwalk.
Sand placement took approximately 3 months to complete. The total volume
of sand was initially approximated at 3.2 million cubic yards and cost
17.8 million dollars. Dune grass was planted to help stabilize the dunes.
The widened beach and new dunes will offer momentary protection to
the businesses on the island. However, beach sand will continue to migrate
as littoral drift carries sand southward. The 50 year plan has included
periodic nourishment every three years.
The businesses of Atlantic City immediately began to take advantage
of their wider beach. Beach bars and huts have been built on the newly
nourished beach, and construction for a high end clothing store ensues
on a new pier.
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Atlantic City | Corson
Inlet | Townsend Inlet | Seven
Mile Beach | Wildwood | Cape
May
Sandy Hook to Holgate | Atlantic City to Cape May