DNREC Nears Completion on First Part of Indian River Inlet Beach Nourishment Project

Secretary Patterson and Deputy Secretary Dayna Cobb toured the north side of the Indian River Inlet with DNREC colleagues and local and state officials with contractors from DredgeIt. DNREC Photo

First Field Trip Friday Brings State Leaders Together to Discuss Coastal Restoration Efforts

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is nearing completion on the state’s phase of an emergency dredging and beach nourishment project for the north side of the Indian River Inlet. The project, launched in late November, is on schedule for completion by mid-February and will add almost half a million cubic yards of sand to the beach and dunes.

The announcement follows DNREC’s inaugural Field Trip Friday, an initiative launched by new Secretary Greg Patterson to engage colleagues, elected officials and stakeholders and to see DNREC’s key projects and programs.

During today’s site visit, Secretary Patterson and Deputy Secretary Dayna Cobb joined DNREC experts from the Division of Watershed Stewardship and the Division of Parks and Recreation to review the progress of the beach restoration and discuss next steps. The tour included officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): Lt. Col. Jeffrey Beeman, commander of the Philadelphia District; Nate Barcomb, deputy commander for Programs and Project Management; Monica Chasten, project manager; and, Pete Gori, project manager. It also included state Sen. Russell Huxtable as well as staff for U.S. Senator Chris Coons.

“DNREC’s intensive work over the last several months at the Indian River Inlet is an example of the outstanding teamwork across our entire Department,” said Secretary Patterson. “This project exemplifies how we address challenges and mobilize our resources to strengthen Delaware’s coastal resilience. It’s also a great way to kick off our Field Trip Fridays, showcasing the vital work DNREC does every day. We’re proud to advance this restoration effort before turning the next phase over to our partners at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.”

view of sand at Indian River Inlet — The dredging and beach nourishment project at the north side of the Indian River Inlet is aimed at restoring a severely eroded beach and protecting key transportation infrastructure. DNREC Photo

DNREC’s portion of the project is pumping and placing 480,000 cubic yards (CY) of sand to restore the severely eroded beach and dune, protecting vital infrastructure including State Route 1, after a dune breach last summer followed by months of trucking in sand on an emergency basis. The amount is about 100,000 more CY of sand than the original plan.

DNREC’s restoration efforts at the inlet are focused on strengthening the dune against storm inundation while reshaping the beach to reduce erosion. The project has restored the dune to a width of 25 feet at its crest, with a height of 6 to 8 feet relative to beach elevation. The nourished beach now extends at least 150 feet wide along more than 5,000 linear feet of shoreline.

While DNREC nears completion of its work along the north side of the inlet, the USACE is preparing to initiate the a complementary phase of the dredging and beach nourishment project later this year, with a target of 800,000 cubic yards of sand total between the two projects. Both agencies are working in tandem to ensure the long-term stability of the beach, dune and surrounding infrastructure.

As Field Trip Fridays continue throughout the year, DNREC looks forward to fostering stronger connections between leadership, staff and community partners — highlighting the Department’s work and ensuring meaningful conversations about Delaware’s environmental future.

Media Contacts: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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DNREC Provides Update on Indian River Inlet North Side Emergency Dredging and Beach Nourishment Project

DNREC’s emergency dredging project to repair and restore the beach and dune at the north side of the Indian River inlet has made continuous and consistent progress since the pumping and placement of sand began Dec. 2. The contractor for the project, DredgeIt, is working 24/7 with the State, including throughout the holiday season, to deliver 380,000 cubic yards of sand to the inlet beach and dune by late February 2025. /DNREC photo

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced significant progress has been made by the emergency dredging and beach nourishment project underway at the north side of the Indian River Inlet. The project, launched in late November with the mobilization of dredging equipment, aims to restore the severely eroded beach and protect critical transportation infrastructure.

The actual dredging and sand placement began Dec. 2, and since then the contractor, DredgIt Corp., has achieved a highly-efficient work rate, as reflected in the current daily dredging volumes. As of Dec. 22, the contractor reported a cumulative total of 130,737 cubic yards (CY) of sand has been dredged and placed toward a targeted total of 380,000 CY to be reached by late-February 2025. During the latest 24-hour period for which volume is available, almost 10,000 CY of sand were pumped onto the inlet’s north side beach and dune.

DredgIt has committed to operating 24/7, including throughout the upcoming holidays, to meet project goals and ensure the beach and dune are restored as quickly as possible.

“This project reflects a great team effort, from the time we began hauling sand by truck in the summer to now maintaining efficient round-the-clock operations,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “We remain committed to getting the work done while continuing to keep the public informed about the project.”

The DNREC-led phase of the project will conclude in February, followed by a second phase of the emergency dredging project to be led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2025. Both DNREC and the Corps of Engineers believe this approach will continue to provide long-term protection of both the beach and dune, and critical infrastructure, including State Route 1, for the Indian River Inlet area.

During the project, DNREC also reminds beachgoers and outdoors recreationalists, including surfers, that because of the dredging and beach nourishment work, the north side beach at Delaware Seashore State Park will be temporarily closed to ensure public safety. DNREC continues to monitor the situation and will coordinate with the contractor on reopening this popular area when it can be deemed safe for park visitors and surfers. For more updates, visit de.gov/irnorth.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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DNREC Begins Emergency Dredging Project Restoring Beach North of Indian River Inlet

Beachgoers Cautioned Access to Area is Temporarily Prohibited

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has initiated an emergency dredging project to restore the severely eroded beach area north of the Indian River Inlet. The project is necessary to protect critical transportation infrastructure, including Coastal Highway, which serves as an emergency evacuation route.

As part of the dredging and beach nourishment work, the north side beach at Delaware Seashore State Park — a very popular area for surfing and fishing — will be temporarily closed to ensure public safety. DNREC will monitor the situation and work with the contractors to reopen this area when it is deemed to be safe for park visitors and surfers.

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation also announced pedestrian and bicycle access will be limited from the North Campground to the SR 1 northbound lane. American Disability Act (ADA)-compliant multiuse ramps will be provided at all pedestrian pipeline crossings. However, due to safety considerations, access to the area is discouraged.

For those who disregard closures or safety instructions, the Delaware Natural Resources Police may issue enforcement actions, as these measures are necessary to protect the public and ensure work can proceed safely and efficiently.

The $15 million emergency project comes from funds made available by Governor John Carney and approved by the General Assembly. It will restore thousands of linear feet of eroding shoreline on the north side of the Charles W. Cullen Memorial Bridge, an area that has experienced two dune breaches since March closing portions of the Coastal Highway, an emergency evacuation route.

Up to 380,000 cubic yards of sand from a shoal on the south side of the Indian River Inlet will be dredged and used to rebuild the beach and dune system. Dredged material will be transported via pipeline and screened for munitions and explosives of concern prior to placement on the beach. Sand will be spread and graded to rebuild the dune system to an overall elevation of 16 feet by 25 feet wide.

The beach will be constructed to an elevation of 9.2 feet, or about 7 feet above the average high tide, and width of approximately 100 feet. The final beach width will be determined by the available dredge volume.

“This state-funded dredging project will restore the beach damaged by the August 18 dune breach,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The first phase of the project will protect vital transportation infrastructure while the Army Corps of Engineers prepares the second phase for 2025. We are very grateful to Senator Carper for his support and the Corps for expediting the permits to address this emergency situation.”

The project has been made possible through expedited permitting by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a second phase of nourishment work is scheduled for 2025 by USACE to provide the remaining sand to complete the project.

The U.S. Coast Guard has already given notice for mariners to exercise caution and maintain safe distance from the ongoing dredging activity – to include floating and submerged pipelines, the dredge and support vessels in the area of the operation in the Indian River Inlet.

Updates on the project and timelines for reopening the north side beach will be shared as progress is made. For more information, visit de.gov/irnorth.

Media Contacts
Nikki Lavoie: nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti: @michael.globetti@delaware.gov

Millsboro Angler Smashes State Record for King Mackerel with 52-Pound, 11.2-Ounce Catch Off Fenwick Shoal

Jeff McCoy and his wife Jen McCoy of Millsboro display the state-record
52-pound, 11.2-ounce king mackerel Jeff caught on a recent family fishing
outing along Fenwick Shoal off Delaware’s Atlantic Coast. /Submitted photo

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that a Millsboro angler has become the kingfish king of Delaware’s Atlantic waters by catching a 52-pound, 11.2-ounce king mackerel, also known as a kingfish, in late July along Fenwick Shoal. Jeff McCoy landed the new state record king mackerel fishing from his 25-foot boat, The Reel McCoy, kept at DNREC’s Indian River Marina in Delaware Seashore State Park.

“To be honest, it was one of those cases of pure luck – well, not pure luck but like the old saying goes, ‘I’d rather be lucky than good almost any day,’ and that was one of those days,” said McCoy, while enroute back to the dock this afternoon after another angling outing on the ocean. His king mackerel, with a 56-inch fork length and 24-inch girth, bested the previous Delaware record, which stood for more than 31 years, by a stunning 4 pounds, 2.2 ounces.

McCoy’s catch was certified as a state record by Delaware Natural Resources Police Fish and Wildlife Cpl. Kyle Wharton at Hook ‘em & Cook ‘em Bait, Tackle and Seafood on the Indian River Inlet. Aboard the center console Reel McCoy with him that day were his wife, Jen McCoy, and his mother- and father-in-law, Lynda and Dennis Boas, and brother-in-law, Jeff Boas.

McCoy had intended to fish for sharks that day and once his family fishing party reached Fenwick Shoal he put in play some studious preparation and execution of strategy for catching a big gamefish – just not that gamefish. At one point, after the king mackerel made a 15-minute run, McCoy said his fishing line wrapped around the boat’s anchor rope. Quick action by his brother-in-law disentangled McCoy’s fishing line, and the fight was on again with the kingfish making several more runs. Eventually he gained the upper hand and was able to maneuver the fish alongside Reel McCoy, where it was landed with another assist from brother-in-law Jeff Boas.

Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament state records can be found at de.gov/sportfish. More information about the Sport Fishing Tournament and state record fish is available in the 2023 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide is also available in print from the DNREC Fisheries Section by calling 302-739-9914 and from license agents throughout the state.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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