New Jersey Shore Protection, Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends Inlet, NJ

USACE Philadelphia District
Published Feb. 7, 2024
The Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends Inlet project calls for construction of a beachfill with a berm and dune in the municipalities of Ocean City, Upper Township, and Sea Isle City.

The Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends Inlet project calls for construction of a beachfill with a berm and dune in the municipalities of Ocean City, Upper Township, and Sea Isle City.

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: NJ-2

APPROPRIATION / PHASE: Construction, General

BUSINESS PROGRAM: Flood and Coastal Storm Damage Reduction

AUTHORITY: Section 1001 (30) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007

LOCATION: The project area extends approximately 16 miles from Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends Inlet, and includes the municipalities of Ocean City, Upper Township, and Sea Isle City. An existing Federal beachfill extends along the northern and central portions of Ocean City, from Seaview Road to 34th Street.

DESCRIPTION: The study investigated flood and coastal storm damage effects with a view toward reducing impacts from coastal erosion and storms. The recommended plan calls for construction of a beach fill with a berm and dune along the study area oceanfront utilizing sand from an offshore borrow source and periodic nourishment for a period of 50 years.

PROJECT GOALS: The purpose of this project investigated hurricane and coastal storm damage effects with a view toward reducing impacts from coastal erosion and storms.

STATUS: Planning, Engineering and Design was completed in 2005.  Chief of Engineer’s Report was signed on 24 October 2006. The project was authorized in the 2007 Water Resources Development Act. Initial construction completed in 2016. Periodic nourishment cycle is every 3 years. The project received funding in FY 2022. Periodic nourishment was completed in southern Ocean City (cutterhead dredge) and Strathmere (cutterhead dredge) in the winter of 2023/2024 and is expected to take place in Sea Isle City (hopper dredge) in the Spring of 2024. 

SPONSOR: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

DATE OF PROJECT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT: 23 June 2014    

TARGET COMPLETION DATE: 2064

PROJECT MANAGER: Carmen Zappile