Construction of the Broadkill Beach Dune Realignment Project is now complete. The project was a targeted effort to reduce ongoing dune losses and improve the effectiveness of storm protection along approximately one mile of shoreline.

Work by DNREC contractor Connor Management began in January 2026 and was completed in early March. The contractor realigned and rebuilt the existing artificial dune and created a broader, more gently sloping beach.

Final work included installing sand fencing on the landward side and post-and-rope fencing on the bayward side and at pedestrian crossings. This design helps prevent sand buildup in crossings and avoids pushing the dune too close to the shoreline.

For more information on the dune realignment project, please contact the DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section, at DNREC_shorelines@delaware.gov.

Project Results

Storm impacts prior to construction required multiple design revisions as well as field adjustments to address narrow beach conditions and property constraints. As-built drawings (available upon request) include both plan and profile views that compare the original design with post-construction conditions.

DNREC will continue to monitor the project using drones and traditional surveys as part of its regular coastal program. While storms may cause some erosion, the realigned dune is designed to be more maintainable. 

DNREC thanks Broadkill Beach residents and visitors for their cooperation during construction and is committed to using science-based approaches to manage Delaware’s coastline.

Why Beach Repair was Needed

This project addressed erosion patterns that have persisted since the 2015 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dune construction, which has experienced continued sand losses due to natural coastal processes. The main goal of this project was to reposition sand into the upper beach and dune areas, where it will stay in place better during storms instead of being repeatedly washed away.

The dune was shifted slightly inland and reshaped based on known erosion trends to make it more stable and able to protect the beach during strong or repeated storms. Over the past decade, the shoreline has naturally curved and shifted due to waves, tides, and currents. This change means the straight, linear dune built in 2015 no longer matches the shape of the shoreline, leading to sand loss in some areas.

By realigning the dune and beach, this project restores the natural relationship between the dune and shoreline and improves long-term protection.

Surveys show that some areas are losing 9 to 18 feet of sand per year, especially near the Route 16 beach access, and storms have caused dunes to drop two to three feet in places.

Without repair, the dunes cannot fully protect the beach or nearby homes during storms.