Maintaining Carolina Beach Inlet

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

Carolina Beach Inlet (CBI) is managed by New Hanover County (NHC) in coordination with the NC Division of Water Resources, the USACE, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and the CB Inlet Association. Even as a small inlet, CBI is important to our region. It is a significant economic driver, returning approximately $15 for each dollar invested in dredging. The inlet is significant ecologically and allows for the exchange of Cape Fear River water with the Atlantic Ocean, promoting inter-tidal movement of sediment. In addition, CBI is used by recreational and commercial boaters as a means of navigating into the ocean. Without the maintenance and dredging of CBI, the inlet would no longer be navigable and the ecological and economic benefits of CBI would be diminished. Prior to 2012, NHC’s participation in the management of CBI was limited to fiscal support. However, as federal funding diminished, NHC took an active role in coordinating the maintenance of CBI. This includes annual budgeting, quarterly maintenance, and scheduling all CBI outreach and updates on a monthly basis. Recognizing the seasonality and user demographics of this coastal infrastructure feature, NHC is being more efficient and addressing CBI’s maintenance needs in a structured, yet adaptive approach.