October 21, 2026 – Unfavorable weather conditions are expected to continue through Sunday (10/25), delaying the resumption of dredging. Marinex is hopeful that conditions will improve next week, allowing crews to resume work. The City and our coastal engineers will continue to monitor conditions and share updates.
City-Managed Beach Restoration Projects
2026 Offshore Renourishment Project
The City is restoring its beach and dunes through a major renourishment project under its long-term Comprehensive Beach Management Plan. Up to 2.5 million cubic yards of material will be placed along 19,200 linear feet of beach (1.7M in Wild Dunes and 800K on the southern end of the Island.)
The nourishment will be separated into three separate reaches and involves construction of a dune and a berm.
The material will be dredged from an offshore borrow site located around ~2 miles southeast of the Island Pier.
Alternatives Analysis
City Council has directed coastal engineering firm Foth to further evaluate the feasibility of constructing a terminal groin near Breach Inlet at the south end of Isle of Palms. The firm has been asked to develop a formal proposal outlining the engineering requirements, permitting process, estimated costs, and other considerations associated with the potential project.
Foth will also begin work to define the scope of a shoal management project at the north end of the island, exploring additional opportunities to support long-term shoreline management.
Construction Forecast Map
| Tentative Construction Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Pre-Construction Meeting | 30 June |
| Contractor mobilization | July |
| First day pumping in Reach 1 | 27 July |
| Reach 1 nourishment duration | 50 days |
| First day pumping in Reach 2 | 1 September |
| Reach 2 nourishment duration | 45 days |
| Anticipated first day pumping in Reach 3 | 1 Nov |
| Reach 3 nourishment duration | 45 days |
| Demobilization | 15 December |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A wider beach and restored dune system serve as a natural barrier against storm surge, erosion and flooding, helping protect people, property and public infrastructure. Renourishment also preserves recreational space for beachgoers, supports the island’s tourism economy and provides habitat for sea turtles, shorebirds, plants and other coastal species.
So far the City has received $1.5 million of the total $5.3 million requested in state funding for the major beach renourishment project. This will offset the cost of renourishment for reach 3.
On the north end (reaches 1 and 2) the City will be contributing 47% and the Wild Dunes Community Association (WDCA) is contributing 53% of the cost.
On the south end (reach 3), the City is covering the complete cost.
So in total (across reaches 1, 2, and 3), The City will be covering 64% of the total cost of this project, while WDCA contributes 36% of the total cost.
The 47/53 split for the north end was determined by using the reported gross income for short term rental licenses and business licenses for the 2025 license year. The Parties agree that this percentage in 2025 was 47% from members of the Association and 53% from all other properties outside of the association
No. Beach renourishment work will take place in sections of approximately 300 yards at a time.
In most cases, pedestrians will be able to walk around the fenced work area. The only exception may be during temporary dune construction activities, when access around a work zone could be briefly restricted.
Beachgoers will also be able to safely cross the dredge pipeline using sand ramps to access the ocean.
This project will require heavy machinery operating around the clock. Residents may notice some light and backup alert sounds during nighttime hours. Work is expected to progress at a rate of 100–300 feet per day, so any disturbances in your area should pass within a night or two.
Beginning construction during the summer proved to be the most cost-effective approach. By moving forward during this timeframe, the City saved approximately $10 million compared to alternative construction schedules.
Updates
October 19, 2026 – The dredge is currently down in Charleston Harbor due to rough sea conditions offshore. Marinex is over 93% complete with Reach 2 and estimates only another 4 days of pumping before they can move to Reach 3 on the South End. They anticipate remobilizing to Reach 3 before the end of the month.
October 16, 2026 – With Marinex expected to complete renourishment of Reach 2 by the end of next week, Earth Balance plans to begin planting dunes in Reaches 1 and 2 on Monday, October 26. Planting across both reaches is expected to take approximately six days, helping stabilize the newly restored dunes. Sand fence installation is expected to follow shortly afterward, once materials arrive.
October 14, 2026 – Marinex will return to pumping sand this morning (10/14) after they install 2,000 feet of pipeline to replace a damaged section of pipe.
October 8, 2026 – The dredge is currently sheltered in Charleston Harbor due to unfavorable offshore weather conditions. This season’s nor’easters have been particularly persistent, taking longer than usual to clear. Based on current weather forecasts, Marinex anticipates resuming dredging operations on Tuesday, October 13, with Reach 2 now expected to be completed by October 21, weather...
October 5, 2026 – The dredge is being moved to Charleston Harbor due to rough offshore conditions forecast over the next several days. Before suspending dredging operations, beach crews completed renourishment through the Seagrove Villas area, bringing Reach 2 to nearly 90% completion. Marinex will continue monitoring offshore conditions and will resume dredging as soon as weather allows. Based on...
October 1, 2026 – Marinex is currently pumping sand in front of Seagrove Lane and has now placed more than 540,000 cubic yards of sand in Reach 2, bringing this phase of the project past the halfway point. Dredging is expected to continue through the weekend. On Monday, Marinex plans to move the dredge to safe harbor ahead of a forecasted nor’easter that could affect the area for approximately...
September 28, 2026 – After a few days of bad weather, the dredge was towed back to the borrow site yesterday morning (09/28). The crew spent most of the day making repairs to the main engine and moved an estimated ~12,000 cubic yards of sand to reach 2. Completion of reach 2 remains on track for mid-October.
September 24, 2026 – The dredge is down and staged in Charleston Harbor due to foul weather offshore. This morning’s forecast shows Sunday to be the next favorable day offshore to resume dredging.
September 23, 2026 – Currently, the dredge is down and staged in the Charleston Harbor due to inclement weather offshore which is forecasted over the next few days. Crews are completing routine repairs and maintenance aboard the dredge and will monitor the weather regularly to determine when production can resume offshore.
September 21, 2026 – Currently, the dredge is continuing production, placing sand along the northern tip of Beachwood East. Construction zone fences are in place from Beach Club Villas to the southern end of Beachwood East.
September 7, 2026 – Currently, the dredge Wadmalaw is down and staged in the Charleston Harbor due to unfavorable weather conditions offshore. Crews are performing routine maintenance and repairs aboard the dredge while it is in the staging area. The dredge is expected to be towed back out to the borrow area Friday (09/18) if weather permits.
Engineering Plans and Technical Data
All templates are subject to change.
Google Earth: View a map of dune construction and sand placement by station number
View Coastal Science and Engineering's presentation of June 2026 to City Council ➜