Shoring Up Coastal Defenses: Beach Nourishment Kicks Off on Langeoog
Start of beach restoration on Langeoog with beach renourishment initiatives - Beach Cleaning Initiated for Coastal Protection on Langeoog Island
While the storm season was relatively calm last winter, coastal protection measures are about to kick into high gear with an upcoming beach nourishment project on the island of Langeoog. This move follows the beach nourishment project started last summer, as announced by the Lower Saxony State Agency for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation in Norden (district of Aurich). The agency had to postpone the project due to unfavorable weather conditions in late summer and early autumn.
Protecting the dunes is of the utmost importance, as they act as a shield against wind and waves, safeguarding the town and vital water supply on the island.
Quantities of sand required
The NLWKN aims to safeguard the dune by adding roughly 450,000 cubic meters of fresh sand - about 4.5 million wheelbarrows full. Approximately 270,000 cubic meters of sand had been placed by the end of 2024, and the remainder will now be added. They plan to extract the sand from the seagap, the tidal channel between Langeoog and Baltrum, using a specialized ship, transport it via pipeline, and then distribute it evenly using bulldozers.
"Current events underscore the narrow time window for coastal protection initiatives on the East Frisian Islands in challenging conditions, and why the tourist season overlap can't be avoided," said Frank Thorenz, head of the NLWKN operations center in Norden, responsible for island protection, in a statement. The state agency manages coastal protection on the islands. Generally, the storm season lasts from October to March, and coastal protection work takes place during the summer half-year.
- Coastal Protection
- Langeoog
- Dune
- District of Aurich
- Tourist Season
- Beach Nourishment
In beach nourishment projects, sand is usually dredged from offshore or nearby areas, then transported to the beach via pipelines and distributed evenly to increase the beach width and reduce erosion. Consult local authorities or organizations involved in the project for specific information on Langeoog. They'll have the latest and most accurate details.
- The upcoming beach nourishment project on Langeoog, managed by the NLWKN, aims to reinforce the dunes, which are vital for coastal protection, by adding roughly 450,000 cubic meters of fresh sand, securing the town and water supply on the island.
- In light of the ongoing need for coastal protection on the East Frisian Islands, Frank Thorenz, head of the NLWKN operations center, emphasized the importance of managing coastal protection initiatives effectively during challenging conditions, given the limited time and the unavoidable overlap with the tourist season.
