Folly Beach, SC
A terminal groin-supported nourishment strategy rebuilt a stable beach and dune system—shielding park infrastructure while safeguarding a vital public access point.
At a Glance
Severe erosion crippled Folly Beach County Park, damaging facilities and closing a key public access point. A durable solution paired beach nourishment with a terminal groin, delivered under intense regulatory oversight and an accelerated schedule. The restored beach-dune system now protects park infrastructure and continues to perform without maintenance renourishment.
Erosion Endangers Park and Public Access
Severe erosion shut down Folly Beach County Park—one of the Charleston area's few public beach access points—demanding a bold, long-term solution. The challenge was fast-tracking a nourishment and terminal groin project through intense regulatory review while coordinating multiple contractors on a compressed schedule. Success meant restoring public access quickly and delivering shoreline protection built to last.
Integrated Nourishment and Terminal Groin Approach
CSE delivered an integrated restoration at Folly Beach County Park, pairing targeted nourishment with a terminal groin to secure long-term stability. Close coordination with regulators and contractors—including a tapered fill template enabling in-the-dry groin construction—kept the fast-tracked project on schedule. The result is a durable beach and dune system protecting park infrastructure for the long term.
Lasting Shoreline Protection and Restored Public Access
The project successfully restored Folly Beach County Park, reopening a critical public beach access point and delivering long-term shoreline stability. A nourishment-plus-terminal-groin solution eliminated the need for maintenance renourishment to date while supporting natural dune growth. The resulting wide, resilient beach and dune system now protects park facilities and infrastructure, delivering durable performance on time and on budget.
"Winner of the 2015 ASBPA Best Restored Beach Award"
American Shore & Beach Preservation Association
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