Volusia County Launches Major Coastal Resiliency Initiative at Ponce Inlet

Posted On: April 4, 2025

Volusia County is enhancing the resiliency of its coastline through a restoration project that will begin this month. As part of the preparations, dredge pipeline sections are being placed along the shoreline from north of the Ponce de Leon Inlet to Oceanview Avenue. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) contractor, Gator Dredging, is bringing in pipeline segments and moving them into position along the toe of the dune. Some sections will be transported south of Beach Street and staged along the dune line down to the jetty after beach driving ends for the evening.

This effort is part of a more extensive dredging operation expected to begin mid-to-late April. Approximately 900,000 cubic yards of sand will be removed from Ponce Inlet and nearby Intracoastal Waterway navigation channels. The sand will then be placed strategically along the beach to repair erosion damage caused by past storms, helping restore dune systems and strengthen coastal resiliency.

The beach will remain open to the public, though some areas may have limited access while equipment is in motion. Temporary restrictions will be in place around the work zones to ensure public safety. Beachgoers should stay clear of the pipeline and adhere to posted signage.

This initiative, funded through a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), addresses shoreline damage caused by the 2022 hurricanes. The project is a collaborative effort with the USACE, the FDEP, and the Florida Inland Navigation District.

For more details and project updates, visit www.volusia.org/sandprojects.