For some, the Town’s coastal dune management has been a success. In general, snow fencing and plants have worked to create an impressive system of dunes that run north to south along the Cape Charles beach. Sand drift, however, is another problem. Sand from the dunes will do what sand does–it will move. Our dunes are constantly shifting due to the continual movement of sand by the wind On a windy day when the sand is dry, you can see it travel east across Bay Avenue, making its way to homes and lawns.
The stabilization of coastal dunes is meant to stop the movement of sand that is blown by the wind. The main reason for dune stabilization is to protect human property from dune movement. Dune stabilization requires a combination of methods including planting and structural work. To stabilize the moving sand or to stop a shifting dune several actions can be undertaken: planting sand binding species, construction of stopping fences, and covering blow areas with brushwood.
The following photo essay captures some of the sand drifting: