Where does the sand come from for beach replenishment?

The sand used for beach replenishment is usually collected from the river’s riverbeds or coastal bays. This sand is heavy and compacted due to the motion of the water and is collected using special dredges. Once collected, the sand is screened and then blended with sand from other locations to create a sand blend that meets the consistency and size requirements of the project.

Where does the sand go for beach replenishment?

Beach sand is collected from where beaches meet the ocean. In California, sand is usually collected along the coast between the high tide line and the mean low tide line. The sand is scooped up and loaded onto trucks and taken to a sandpit. The sandpit is then refilled with sand from other locations on the coast.

Where does the sand go for beach restoration?

The sand that is used for replenishing the beaches is typically taken from dredged material — material that is pulled from the ocean floor after structures, such as oil rigs, have been built on it. The sand that is pulled is cleaned and then mixed with chemicals to kill bacteria before it is placed on the beach.

Where does the sand come from for beach fill?

Sand is often taken from local rivers, lakes, ponds and quarries. This sand is commonly treated to remove impurities before being used on beaches. Some sand is dredged from the ocean, either from the ocean floor or from areas that are partially or fully submerged. This sand is often highly contaminated with pollutants, such as oil and grease, and must be treated before use on beaches.

Where do the sand go for beach replenishment?

The sand is taken from the dunes adjacent to a beach and from inland sand mines that are operated by the state or a private company. The sand is then mixed with a cement binder to create a beach-quality sand that can be used to rebuild sections of a beach. The sand is deposited at a rate of about one cubic yard per hour.