November 8, 2026 – As of yesterday (11/7), Reach 2 has been completed. Crews are currently working to shift submerged pipeline and equipment to Reach 3 near Breach Inlet. Marinex expects production on Reach 3 to begin within the next few days.
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 (ahead of schedule) |
| First day pumping in Reach 2 | 1 September |
| Reach 2 nourishment duration | 45 days (delayed) |
| Anticipated first day pumping in Reach 3 | 11 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.
Dune Planting and Fencing
Earth Balance will be planting sea oats, bitter panic grass and beach morning glory, along with installing sand fencing to help stabalize the new dunes and help prolong the renourishment efforts.
The City will pay $47,589 for reaches 1 and 2 on the north end, and $102,000 for Reach 3 on the south end.
The Wild Dunes Community Association has agreed to supplement the City’s contribution, adding an additional $157,000 for planting and fencing reaches 1 and 2.
Updates
November 6, 2026 – Crews are currently preparing to tow the dredge back to the offshore borrow site, with sand pumping operations expected to resume later today (Friday, 11/6). Dredging operations have been suspended for several weeks due to unfavorable offshore weather conditions. Large, rolling ocean swells cause the dredge to rise and fall, potentially forcing its cutter head into the ocean...
October 29, 2026 – Beach Renourishment Update Reach 2: Weather Delays Continue Marinex anticipates at least another week of weather delays associated with nor’easter conditions. About 1,000 feet of beach between 57th Avenue and Grand Pavilion remains to be renourished for Reach 2. Marinex continues to monitor conditions for any opportunity to resume work, even for a half-day of pumping. In the...
October 28, 2026 – The dredge continues to be staged in Charleston Harbor due to rough sea conditions offshore. NOAA forecasting continues to show unfavorable conditions through this weekend. (11/1) Marinex will continue to monitor the weather conditions offshore throughout the rest of the week and resume dredging at the earliest opportunity.
October 26, 2026 – The dredge continues to be staged in Charleston Harbor due to rough sea conditions offshore. NOAA forecasting continues to show unfavorable conditions through this coming Friday (10/30). Marinex will continue to monitor the weather conditions offshore throughout the week and resume dredging at the earliest opportunity.
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.
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...
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 ➜