The Bureau of Coastal Engineering constructs and maintains
shore protection structures including jetties, groins,
seawalls, breakwaters, and bulkheads in order to protect
the coastline and the navigable channels of New Jersey.
 |
Townsend's Inlet South Jetty Construction
Photo courtesy of the US Army
Corps Aerial
Survey |
Early
shore protection measures included jetties and groins
constructed perpendicular to the shoreline for the purpose
of lessening the impacts of erosion by reducing the rate
of sediment transport along vulnerable coastlines.
A
series of groins constructed along a shoreline, also
referred to as "groin fields," serve to interrupt
the ocean's near-shore littoral drift patterns and push
the alongshore currents farther offshore.
 |
Recent groin notching in Monmouth County
Photo courtesy of the US Army Corps
Aerial
Survey |
Recent
studies have indicated that increasing the permeability
of new and existing groins can serve to provide both
shoreline stabilization and limit diffusive losses when
located within a large-scale beach nourishment project.
New
methods to increase groin permeability include lowering
offshore crest elevations, notching and/or shortening
of the groin, and increasing material porosity to allow
a finite amount of sediment to pass over or through the
groin. When incorporated with beach nourishment, permeable
groins have proven to be effective in limiting overall
project losses and subsequently extending the longevity
of beachfills.
 |
Seawall along the Atlantic Ocean in
Avalon,
NJ |
In areas where the erosive forces exceed
nature's ability to protect itself, seawalls, breakwaters
and bulkheads can be a viable solution by providing both
shoreline stabilization and coastal flood protection.
When
constructed along inlets, bays and other coastal waterways,
these structures also serve to keep waterways clear of
sediments and debris and maintain open navigation channels.
 |
Recently completed bulkhead along Barnegat
Inlet,
NJ |
Project
Funding:
Shore protection projects are funded through
the Shore Protection Fund (N.J.S.A. 13:19-16 et seq),
either through a federal-state-local cost share or a
state-local cost share, depending on the size and scope
of the project. Design and real estate acquisition costs
are the responsibility of the local sponsor.
State-owned
shore protection structures are designed, constructed
and maintained through the Bureau of Coastal Engineering.
Additionally,
the Bureau is currently conducting coastal flood control
feasibility studies jointly with the U. S. Army Corps
of Engineers along Raritan Bay, Delaware Bay, and Sandy
Hook Bay, including the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers
in Monmouth County for the purpose of storm damage reduction
and ecosystem restoration.
Contributions to this page
include the following:
RANKIN, K.L; HERRINGTON, T.O.;
BRUNO, M.S.; BURKE, P.B., and PENCE, A.M., 2003 Cross-shore
distribution of alongshore currents and sediment fluxes
in the vicinity of notched groins. Journal of Coastal
Research, SI(33) 255-268. DONOHUE, K.A.; BOCAMAZO, L.M.,
and DVORAK, D., 2003. Experience with groin notching
along the northern New Jersey Coast. Journal of Coastal
Research, SI(33), 198-214.l
back
to top |
