Isle of Palms completes second phase of beach renourishment project

City officials in Isle of Palms announced the completion of the second phase of their Beach Renourishment Project, according to WCBD and ABC News 4 WCIV. This phase involved placing approximately 800,000 cubic yards of sand between 55th Avenue and the Wild Dunes Property Owners Beach House after about 70 days of work.

Crews are now preparing to start the third and final phase of the project, which will place around 800,000 more cubic yards of sand along 8,600 feet of beach between Breach Inlet and the Isle of Palms Pier. This phase is expected to be finished before the end of the year, weather permitting, ABC News 4 WCIV reported.

Once all phases are complete, close to 2.5 million cubic yards of sand will have been added to the shoreline to widen the beach and restore the dune system. City officials emphasized that the dunes and beach act as natural barriers against storm surge, erosion, and flooding while also preserving recreational space, supporting tourism, and providing habitat for local wildlife.

The dunes created in the first two phases have been fenced and planted with sea oats, bitter panic grass, and beach morning glory by Earth Balance. Dunes from the third phase will be similarly fenced and planted in spring 2027, according to the city.

Residents and interested parties can monitor project progress through daily updates provided by the city.