In 2001, Walton County and the City of Destin (Okaloosa County), acting in partnership to facilitate regional beach management and realize significant cost savings, contracted Taylor Engineering to perform an integrated study for their combined 32-mile long beach along the Gulf of Mexico. The coastal processes analysis portion of the study documented shoreline changes over the past 128 years, beach volume changes over the past 25 years, and overwash volumes during hurricanes Opal and Georges. Analysis of 20 years of wave and wind data provided input to model wave-driven longshore and wind-driven cross-shore sand transport. Results of these analyses form the basis for long- and short-term sediment budgets.
Taylor Engineering applied size, content, and color criteria to investigate the ocean bottom between the 20- and 50-foot water depth contours for locating borrow areas with beach compatible sand. This sand source investigation consisted of seismic profiles; vibracores; and side scan, magnetometer, and bathymetric surveys. Shoals south of East Pass were the designated borrow source.
Integrating engineering, environmental, and economic elements, the feasibility study recommended beach and dune restoration along seven miles of beach in Western Walton County and Destin as the first course of action. Following the study's recommendations, Taylor Engineering designed the beach and dune restoration project - placing about 3,000,000 cubic yards of sand along seven shoreline miles - and acquired state and federal permits in 2006. Other project elements include preparation of project plans and specifications and assistance with bidding services. Walton County and Destin completed construction of this project in spring 2007.
A key element of the project was a sequence of meetings with technical review committees, citizens' advisory councils, and public workshops at key project milestones to receive community input and to facilitate public education during the course of the project.
This project was one of the 2008 national award winners for "Best Restored Beach" from the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.
