Coastal recovery utilizing repositionable beach module

Abstract

A method of restoring a beach includes positioning a recovery module at a first location in a region of a beach to sea interface. A longitudinal axis of the recovery module is oriented generally perpendicular to a longshore current in the region of the beach to sea interface. The recovery module is removed from the first location upon achieving a desired level of accretion adjacent to the recovery module.

1 . A method of restoring a beach comprising:
 positioning a recovery module at a first location in a region of a beach to sea interface;   orienting a longitudinal axis of the recovery module generally perpendicular to a longshore current in the region of the beach to sea interface; and   removing the recovery module from the first location upon achieving a desired level of accretion adjacent to the recovery module.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein positioning the recovery module in the first location includes positioning the recovery module to be at least partially emergent during at least a portion of a tidal cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein positioning the recovery module in the first location includes positioning the recovery module to be at least partially submerged during at least a portion of a tidal cycle. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein positioning the recovery module in the first location includes positioning at least about half of the recovery module in the sea. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein positioning the recovery module includes ballasting the recovery module. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein ballasting the recovery module includes filling at least a portion of an interior of the recovery module with water. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein positioning the recovery module in the first location includes anchoring the recovery module. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the desired level of accretion provides a reduced longshore current interaction at the recovery module. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein removing the recovery module includes at least partially de-ballasting the recovery module. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the recovery module at a second location in a region of beach to sea interface. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the second location includes an updrift location relative to the first location. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the second location includes a seaward location relative to the first location. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the recovery module in a maintenance location. 
     
     
         14 . A method of beach restoration comprising:
 positioning a plurality of recovery modules at a plurality of first locations in a region of a beach to sea interface;   orienting a longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of recovery modules generally perpendicular to a longshore current in the region of the beach to sea interface; and   moving at least one of the plurality of recovery modules from at least one of the plurality of first locations to at least a second location.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least a second location includes an updrift location relative to the plurality of first locations. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of recovery modules includes a furthest downdrift recovery module of the plurality of recovery modules. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least a second location includes a seaward location relative to the at least one of the plurality of first locations. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein moving at least one of the plurality of recovery modules, includes moving all of the plurality of recovery modules to a plurality of second locations. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising removing at least a portion of the plurality of recovery modules from the region of the beach to sea interface. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein moving at least one of the plurality of recovery modules to at least the second location includes moving the at least one of the plurality of recovery modules upon achieving a desired level of accretion adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of recovery modules. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising positioning at least a portion of the plurality of recovery modules in a respective maintenance location. 
     
     
         22 . A method of beach restoration comprising:
 positioning a plurality of recovery modules at a plurality of first locations in a region of a beach to sea interface;   orienting a longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of recovery modules generally perpendicular to a longshore current in the region of the beach to sea interface; and   sequentially moving a furthest downdrift recovery module of the plurality of recovery modules to an updrift location relative to the remaining recovery modules.