Martin County is furiously fighting erosion at Bathtub Beach. Friend, Amy Galante, sent me a web-cam photo today revealing that ocean water appears to have earlier *breached the remaining man-made dune. When I stopped the by the beach, about an hour ago, at lunchtime, workers assured me no water had entered the parking lot and insisted the area was closed and that I needed to leave immediately. When I got out of my car on the side of the road, it certainly looked as though Mother Nature had left her footprint, but what do I know, I’ve only been visiting Bathtub Beach since I was an infant…
11-15-17: *The County has contacted me asked if I am going to “correct” my post. “The breach you are referring to may be the hole cut in the dune to give equipment access to the beach.” —-I do apologize if my word choice was incorrect. I continue to feel this area of Martin County is one of concern.
Chart 2004-2014. Much re -nourishment has been done since this time. Source: Martin County Government.
Fist off it had rained the past 3 night. So he was probably right that it didn’t breach. Second you complain about having natural beaches and lakes and rivers. Then let the ocean do what it’s going to do naturally. You can’t have it both ways.
You are right. It has been raining. I don’t remember it raining this much in November…I apologize if you think I am complaining; I see my job as to shine a light.
It is amazing how the acid in the fresh water can turn the beach sand to liquid. I would say the damage has already been done to your sea walls and bridges. May I suggest putting calcium carbonate oyster shells on the south shore from the railroad bridge to the Martin health center(hospital) .This should neutrilize the acid before it gets to the ocean and beachs. Northeasters will churn the shells.
The beach will renourish naturally without wasting all that money. Just throwing taxpayer money away. You can’t make the new sand stay on the beach. It all washes away in the next storms, and the biggest problems are structures built too close to the dunes; spend the money for something that will last. The sand does come back on its own; just like it leaves. I’ve been watching it do this for 60 years; only recently do we pay millions of dollars to artificially put it back. Have we lost our minds? If private property owners want to spend their money that way, fine; but, other than rebuilding the road when it washes out, the government should not pay to put sand on the beach. Much more pressing needs exist.
I agree Jacqui! The beach looked breached! It is a shame losing it, but the water is only getting higher and millions have been spent. How long can this go on?
Too much development too close to the water.
Drew Martin
When I typed this i had not seen but one of the several photos depicting bath tub beach damage & construction. But the opinion is pertinent.
Replenishing this area with sand is nourishing the real-estate to the south & speeding up the filling in of the dredged inlet. Since the volume of seawater from large waves spilling over the reef rocks escapes to the south Likely the gated residential area south finds the public beach a bit of a traffic nuisance. The park dept. closes this site at the least of storm damage… likely satisfying to the residential areas. The inlets & bridge abutments don’t get destroyed by storms because the are constructed of rocks & cement not sand.
The house shown in the photo was a controversial dispute between county & owner with the county not allowing the deposit of rocks or fill dirt around the house’s foundation to protect home. After the hurricanes 0f 2004 the county, city & federal were depositing fill dirt/rocks all along the damaged shore of IRL.
Just a guess but i suspect most replenish/restoration gov. funds benefit private property & hwys. A cement wall was built where hurricane storm water breached road going to bath tub beach. Why is it rocks & cement are not used to sturdy-up Bath-Tub Beach. Though the Austrailian Pine is on the FL’s hit list as an invasive species, it’s growth when properly trimmed/topped* protects from erosion & provides shade in specific situations like bridge causeways, shore/road shoulders & public beach landscaping.
* Topped keeping tree squatty so as not to blow over during strong winds. Roots anchor the shore as apparent in many places. Also quit trimming beneath seagrape trees & thickets so as they can grow dense & hold leaves
Perhaps the house in the picture should be bought by County Park Gov. as a public facility & offices. Its still standing, the restrooms**, decks & shelters are not. **still there?
I wonder what would happen if I showed up one day with a pick up truck load of shellls and calcium sand. What laws would I be breaking? Shells belong in the water—raw sewage does not. I cant help it if my shells react badly with your sewage.