Bald Head Beaches

The BHI Conservancy actively monitors the dunes of Bald Head Island.  In 2009 we established a set of 28 transects (lines) that cover all Bald Head Island dunes.  These lines begin at a static point and continue to the seaward end of vegetation.  Transects are monitored at least once per month to determine erosion and accretion rates.  Additionally, elevation data is taken once per quarter.  These measurements and their analysis serve as a warning system for threats to our dunes and beaches.

The BHI Conservancy also assists The Village of BHI in making environmentaly prudent decisions concerning shoreline stabilization.

Response to the Army Corps of Engineers (US ACE) study

The BHI Conservancy provided a response to the Army Corps of Engineers (US ACE) study about the Sand Management Plan. The Sand Management Plan Study reviewed how much and where the Army Corps places dredge material when they dredge the channel.  The BHI Conservancy believes that the Bald Head Reach portion of the Wilmington Harbor Channel runs too close to the Southeastern point of Bald Head Island.  The impact of dredging in this area causes erosion along south and west beaches and in 2009 caused substantial loss of back dune habitat.  The Sand Management report contained very little scientific analysis of the sediment budget (where sand goes and where it comes from) nor did it contain a wave study that would show how waves and currents influence the movement of sand. Most disturbing was the complete lack of biological analysis.  In short the study had very little objective information. The Corps did, however, reach a conclusion, that the Conservancy agrees with.  There should never be a "gap" year like 2009 where all the sand goes elsewhere.  The Plan recommended that every year that dredging occurs, 2/3 of the dredge material be put on BHI.  To learn more about the BHI Conservancy response please read the entire brief in PDF format here.

Important documents

Dredging off West Beach point impacts beaches (PDF) (Large file)

Paper on Endangered and Threatened Species Habitat on "The Point" (PDF)

Effects of Dredging on "The Point" (PDF)

2011 dune monitoring report

2012 dune monitoring report

2012 beach vitex report

'Line in the sand' video with Stan Riggs (ECU)

NPR report on beach nourishment 

  

 

Beach nourishment 2013