South Padre Island Dune Restoration

Summary

The City of South Padre Island is the southernmost section of Texas' barrier island system. As barrier islands transition with their longshore current, sediment placement can be cyclical. The need for replacement and sediment retention becomes greater through storm surges and king tides. While trying to be proactive towards coastal erosion, the City has tried to incorporate the growth of its dune field by planting native Texas coastal vegetation and capturing wind-driven sand. This project will be dedicated to restoring two miles of linear beach. Restoration will occur in one-mile tracks annually. Twenty feet of dune vegetation will be planted at the tow of the dunes seaward. Plants will be protected with a sand fencing barrier placed at forty-five degrees ten feet apart. Each sand fence will be ten feet long.