Coastal recovery utilizing repositionable shoal module

Abstract

A method of restoring a beach includes positioning a recovery module at a first location in a region offshore of a beach to sea interface. A longitudinal axis of the recovery module is oriented generally parallel to the beach to sea interface. Upon achieving a desired level of accretion in a near-shore region relative to the recovery module, the recovery module is removed from the first location.

1 . A method of restoring a beach comprising:
 positioning a recovery module at a first location in a region offshore of a beach to sea interface;   orienting a longitudinal axis of the recovery module generally parallel to the beach to sea interface; and   removing the recovery module from the first location upon achieving a desired level of accretion in a near-shore region relative 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 submerged during at least a portion of a tidal cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein positioning the recovery module in the first location includes positioning the recovery module to be completely submerged during the tidal cycle. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein positioning the recovery module includes ballasting the recovery module. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein ballasting the recovery module includes filling at least a portion of an interior of the recovery module with water. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein positioning the recovery module in the first location includes anchoring the recovery module. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein orienting the longitudinal axis of the recovery module generally parallel to the beach to sea interface includes orienting the longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to an onshore current. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the desired level of accretion provides a decreased water depth in the near-shore region relative to 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 offshore of beach to sea interface. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the second location includes a seaward location relative to the first location. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the second location includes an updrift location relative to the first location. 
     
     
         13 . A method of beach restoration comprising:
 positioning a plurality of recovery modules at a plurality of first locations in an offshore region of a beach to sea interface;   orienting a longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of recovery modules generally parallel 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.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , orienting the longitudinal axis of each of each of the plurality of recovery modules generally parallel to the beach to sea interface includes orienting the longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to an onshore current. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least a second location includes a seaward location relative to the plurality of first locations. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least a second location includes a seaward location relative to the at least one of the plurality of first locations. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 13 , 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. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising removing at least a portion of the plurality of recovery modules from the region of the beach to sea interface. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 13 , 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 in a near-shore region relative to the at least one of the plurality of recovery modules. 
     
     
         20 . A method of beach restoration comprising:
 positioning a plurality of recovery modules at a plurality of first locations in a region offshore of a beach to sea interface;   orienting a longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of recovery modules generally perpendicular to an onshore current; and   sequentially moving at least a portion of the plurality of recovery modules to a seaward location relative to the remaining recovery modules.