Milford chronicle., 1935-01-18
Beach Roads Are Protected
By Sand Dune Buildings

crew of four men at the rate Of
approximately 400 seet per day, at
a total cost, for labor and ma
terials, of 1876 cents per lineal foot.
A total of 1919 lineal feet was
constructed.
Sand Piles AT Fences
"The sand Immediately began
piling around these fences in a
manner similar to the action Of
snow fences, and by the biz storm
Of August %, 1888, had accumulated
enough material so that approxi-
mately One-half Of the fencing
! wlthstOod that terrific storm, the
fence built in the early spring
practically 100 per cent, while that
constructed during the summer
was largely destroyed; one power
boat went over the beach and
through the sand fence to the bay.
Estimated damage to the partially
completed highway was $4,000.
Repairs were made to damaged
panels, missing sections we're re-
placed. and by the spring of 1884,
the dunes were built up so that it
is believed that they could with
stand storm equal to the big
storm OF 1888, without serious dam
age
sand is accumulated both from
the land and ocean sides. One
northwest gale in the winter of 1884
raised the banks on an average OF
between two and three feet. Ap-
paTently this sand would have been
returned TO the ocean but for the
interference Of the sand fence.
"At the presetn time practically
all of these fences are COM
pletely filled; i'm some cases dunes
have been found higher than the
fence. as will be seen In the ac-
cOmpanying photographs.
At the end Of the summer Of
1884. these artificial dunes had an
average cross section width OF feet
at the top and IS feet at the base,
indicating wind placed embank-
ments tOtaling approximately 10000
cubic yards at cost including re-
pairs and requirements after the
big gale of 81 cents per cubic yard,
OF which the cost Of repairs and re-
placements was approximately 25
per cent. This is about One-half the
cost of embankments placed by
a caterpillar crane with. calm shell
bucket in similar locations.
Inspections Frequent
Regular inspection and mainte-
nance TO guard against small breaks
at dune intersections, together with /
the continuous deposit OF addition
al material will. 1t IS believed, build |
up blackstone against which the |
highest storm tides will expend |
themselves without damage to the |
dune line or the highway beyond.
"A few facts developed during and |
to the construction of |
the sand. fences:
(a) Fences built in some lOca-
tions were not effective. These were
short sections usually
well back from the beach.
OBJ THE fence was generally /
found considerably more effective
when built in long stretches along
the back shore in front Of the re- /
ceded dunes rather than in short
sections between them.
(cl "The most difficult points to
hold are at the junction of fences
with the dunes where new wind
erosion may develop. This can be
overcome by the use of brush or
marsh hay piled at the bottom and
End Of the fencing.
cd Roads in similar locations
should not be constructed until the
sand fences have been in place ap-
a year, or until the
and barrier has been built up suf-
iciently TO afford ample protection.
The final results appear to be
Wholly successful in accomplishing
he purpose for which the fence was
.rected."