DNREC to repair Bethany Beach access points after significant storm erosion

Photo: CoastTV

Credit to: Coastal Point, Susan Canfora

Officials from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) are expected to visit Bethany Beach later this month or in early December to repair beach access crossovers that sustained significant damage during storms in mid-October and again last week.

“The DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section will be in Bethany to repair the crossovers,” said Michael Globetti, DNREC’s public relations officer, in a statement to Coastal Point. “However, the project is weather-dependent and also contingent on the completion of DNREC’s ongoing beach repair work at Bowers Beach, which is expected to conclude by mid-November — weather permitting.”

Bethany Beach Mayor Ron Calef noted that the pre-Halloween storm again caused erosion along the shoreline. “The beach was eroded by the strong easterlies and waves of the past week but is now rebuilding,” he said. “The dune was impacted but thankfully not to a great extent. DNREC has several repairs underway, including at Bowers Beach and the Indian River Inlet, before they can get to Bethany. We have not yet received a firm date for the work.”

Bowers Beach is located on the western shore of Delaware Bay in Kent County.

Calef added that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been expected to inspect the beach and assess the damage but had not yet contacted town officials, likely due to the government shutdown. He also reminded residents that Delaware is now in nor’easter season, which runs from September through April. According to the National Weather Service, these storms are named for the strong northeasterly winds that typically affect coastal areas.

“We’ve always managed to get through them,” Calef said.

At the October 17 Bethany Beach Town Council meeting—following heavy rain and strong winds on October 11 and 12—Calef reported that the town’s beach and protective dunes “took a significant hit.”

“Our streets were flooding, and our Police and Public Works departments worked long hours,” he said. “Police went door to door advising residents north of Garfield Avenue on the situation and safety measures. We made it through the storm, but it shows how critical our engineered dune system and the loop dam are—both could have prevented much of the flooding.”

The dunes successfully protected the boardwalk, nearby businesses, the bandstand, and homes, but Calef emphasized that beach replenishment remains “a major need.” He described a six-foot drop from the boardwalk to the beach that could worsen without intervention.

“It can’t be repaired right now. There’s simply not enough sand to rebuild safe walkways, so they’ll remain as they are unless state or federal authorities step in,” he said. “We don’t know what to expect moving forward.”

Town Manager Cliff Graviet noted that while there is no routine funding for beach replenishment nationwide, emergency funds can be made available if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers declares an emergency.