New Jersey Shore Protection, Townsends Inlet to Cape May Inlet, NJ

7-Mile Island Coastal Storm Risk Management

USACE Philadelphia District
Published Feb. 7, 2024
The Townsends Inlet to Cape May Inlet (Avalon and Stone Harbor) Coastal Storm Risk Management project includes the Townsends Inlet seawall in Avalon; the Hereford Inlet seawall in North Wildwood; and dune and beachfill in the communities of Avalon and Stone Harbor. The project is designed to reduce damages from coastal storm events.

The Townsends Inlet to Cape May Inlet (Avalon and Stone Harbor) Coastal Storm Risk Management project includes the Townsends Inlet seawall in Avalon; the Hereford Inlet seawall in North Wildwood; and dune and beachfill in the communities of Avalon and Stone Harbor. The project is designed to reduce damages from coastal storm events.

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: NJ-2

APPROPRIATION/PHASE: Construction, General

BUSINESS PROGRAM: Flood and Coastal Storm Damage Reduction

AUTHORITY:  WRDA 1999, Section 101(a)(26).

LOCATION:  The study area is a 12-mile portion of the New Jersey Coastline from Townsends Inlet to Cape May Inlet.

DESCRIPTION: The recommended plan for flood and coastal storm damage reduction includes: (1) 4.3 miles of beach fill with a berm width of 150-feet and a dune crest at +14.75 feet NAVD, with periodic nourishment at 3 year intervals; (2) 2.2 miles of seawall construction along the Townsends Inlet frontage of Avalon and the Hereford Inlet frontage of North Wildwood; (3) ecosystem restoration of approximately 116 acres of natural barrier island habitat at Stone Harbor Point including beach fill and dune construction. The restoration includes the planting of approximately 56 acres of bayberry and red cedar roosting habitat. 

STATUS: The beachfill portion of the project was initially constructed in 2002 and the Townsends Inlet and Hereford Inlet seawalls were initially completed in 2009. The dune and beachfill project was renourished/repaired in 2011, 2013, 2017 and 2019. The Hereford Seawall was initially constructed in 2 phases with Phase 1 completed in 2007 and Phase 2 completed in 2010. Repairs were completed to the Hereford Seawall in 2014 and 2021. The Townsends Inlet Seawall was initially constructed in 2006. 

The most recent periodic nourishment took place between April 2023 and July 2023.  Fiscal Year 2023 Work Plan funds are being used for project monitoring including borrow area investigations. The next nourishment cycle is scheduled for Fiscal Year 2025 pending funding. 

PROJECT GOALS: The purpose of this project provides hurricane and coastal storm damage reduction, including a beach fill with a berm and dune, with a periodic nourishment at three year intervals.

SPONSOR: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

DATE OF PROJECT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT: 8 March 2002      

TARGET COMPLETION DATE: 2052

PROJECT MANAGER: Erik Rourke