View of the Beach (from the water from down stream to up stream)

6/14/2013

Information about the newly acquired beach and what can be done about it.

With the transfer of the beach and the common area to the ownership of the Neuse Harbour Home Owners Association (NHHOA) a committee was appointed at the annual meeting to examine what needed to be done to preserve the beach area and make it more accessible to the members (Chair, Patty Wallen) 

Please see the attached pictures of the beach as it exists now.  It is best if you can take the time and walk down and view the beach area yourself.  The beach lot has an irregular shape with 426.53 feet of river frontage and 9 adjacent property owners.  Currently the NHHOA does not have sufficient funds to even begin stabilization of the river front.  What ever action that is taken needs to be done in conjunction with the adjacent property owners.  

The  NHHOA Board has hired Robert Chiles, P.E. as a consultant to make a site visit to the beach and provide suggestions about what can be done and the likely effectiveness of different courses of actions.  The committee would appreciate your suggestions for questions and ideas for the meeting.  Note that the deed to the property prohibits the construction of a pier.

The picture below shows the use of a "wave attenuator"  to retain beach at a different property.  Note the difference with the adjacent property which has no protection.  "Bio-remedian"  has also been used to retain soil from wave loss.  

     

I would be very  interested in compiling your ideas, questions and suggestion for the meeting with Mr. Chiles.  Please email me at gulfsailor8@gmail.com

Bob Brainard

Update with "bioremediation" example.

These photos below are some I took of the bioremediation at the old Coast Guard Station (now Education Technology Something) on Ocracoke Island, NC (6/26/13).  This is also next to the ferry loading docks.  The area had been slowly eroding into Pamlico Sound and the State or Federal government installed them with support from a number of private sources.  Obviously this type of system may cost more than the Homeowners association can afford.

Top is an aerial photograph of the area and shows the general approach, the rock appears to be granite boulders.  Below is a closer look at how the rock is installed.  My understanding is that the rock or the wave attenuator, second picture above in Neuse Harbour, protects the bio or plant from rough wave action so they can stay rooted.  The plants then hold the sand or silt around their roots which will accumulate over time.  Lots of time is required, the above pictures shows the difference from 2003 to 2010.  When the water level rises in a hurricane, the rocks are completely under water, and so will the shore line.  It seems to me that the rock would provide a greater surface area to dissipate wave energy than the PVC pilings on the river.

Closer detail of the rock and the opening required for water flow.

Please post or send me your comments ( gulfsailor8@gmail.com ), an appointment has been scheduled with the consulting engineer for July 18.

Thanks,

Bob Brainard