Beach nourishment is a consistent and necessary aspect of life along the coast, specifically in southeastern North Carolina. Projects are used to build back dunes or berms lost during storms and through natural erosion, to replace and widen existing beaches, and to protect the communities and infrastructures along the shorelines. Additionally, forms of nourishment may be used to deepend and widen the paths used by cargo ships as they travel up the coast to the ports of Wilmington.
While most projects are coordinated during the off season and/or outside of turtle nesting season, Margaret Rudd & Associates is aware that current projects could impact our guests' vacation plans. Here, you will find information on current or ongoing Oak Island beach nourishment projects. Use this resource and the links provided to help when planning your perfect beach vacation to our beautiful Carolina shores.
**Please note that the best way to ensure that the projects are completed in a timely manner is to please stay clear of all work zones. Please do not walk over the dunes. Our responsibiity as residents and visitors is to help ensure that the dunes do not experience negative impacts which could significantly alter their protective nature for our coasts.
On-going Oak Island Beach Nourishment
Lockwood Folly Inlet Widener Project

- What: Approximately 70,000 cubic yards of sand and sediment is to be dredged from the inlet crossing area in addition to 90,000 cubic yards from the bend widener. This project will assist in making the inlet more passable and the redistributed sand will help reinforce the coastal structures at the west end of the island.
- When: Mobilization of equipment is scheduled to start January 25, 2021 with dreding and pumping starting January 30, 2021. The project should be complete with demobilization of equipment by March 5, 2021. The Town has listed a full end date of March 31, 2021 to allow for any weather or equipment breakdown issues.
- Where: Sand placement on the beach will start at the west end of the island (The Point) and continue to approximately Kings Lynn Drive (subject to change depending on final dredged volume and beach conditions at the time).
- Possible Guest Impacts: Could include construction noises or disruption of direct beach access due to construction vehicles or sand piles blocking public beach access points. Guests oceanfront and 2nd row may experience nighttime illuminations. Parking could be limited.
For more information, please visit the Town of Oak Island Public Works page.
2020-2021 Renourishment Project

- What: Aimed at removing sand and sediment from coastal offshore areas to redistribute along the island to reinforce the dunes and berms and to widen the existing beaches
- When: Start date of January 25, 2021 with an end date of April 10, 2021
- Where: Sand placement and work zones are expected to start at the SE 63rd Street and head west toward 1909 E Beach Drive (between the 22nd Place East and 19th Place East accesses). There are 2 additional alternative paths which could take the work all the way to 101 E Beach Drive, or Middleton Avenue.
- Possible Guest Impacts: Could include construction noises or disruption of direct beach access due to construction vehicles or sand piles blocking public beach access points. Guests oceanfront and 2nd row may experience nighttime illuminations. Parking could be limited.
For more information, please visit the Town of Oak Island Public Works page.
Short Term Oak Island Beach Nourishment
Post-Hurricane Isaias Clean-Up & Dune Restoration Project
In August 2020, Hurricane Isaias barreled through Oak Island. While the storm was responsible for minimal overall property damages, it significantly impacted local sand dune structure and the oceanfront, essential to wildlife, beach access and to the area s a whole. In September 2020, an emergency dune project began but was paused to accommodate the 2020 sea turtle nesting season. Once the nesting season ended, the projected re-started. Displaced sand was placed at public beach accesses and side streets until it was sifted and redistributed along the island.
Sand Sifting and Redistribution Project

- What: Displaced sand from the Post Hurricane Clean-Up was placed at public beach access, side streets and empty lots along the island. The displaced sand had to undergo a sifting process prior to being redistributed along the island. As of January 26, 2021, 1,400 truckloads of over 40,000 cubic yards of sand had been returned to the beach.
- When: Start Date: December 1, 2020; End Date: End of January 2021
- Where: Sand placement began at Middleton Avenue and is expected to proceed west along the existing dune line to approximately 33rd Place West (or until the sand runs out).
- Possible Guest Impacts: Could include construction noises or disruption of direct beach access due to construction vehicles or sand piles blocking public beach access points. Parking could be limited.
For more information, please visit the Town of Oak Island Public Works page.
Do's and Don'ts to Help Dune Restoration:
- Do not walk on the dunes (this includes walking over to access to the beach)
- Do not dig in or around the dunes
- Do not cut walkways or paths through the dunes
- Do not leave trash on the beach
- Do remove all gear from the beach by 8:30 PM each day
The Oak Island Police Department is empowered to enforce the ordinance through civil citations of up to $500 per offense.