Making Our Beach Bigger and Better in 2026
Updated Project Timeline From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District Facebook Page (July 7, 2026)
The final phase of the Grand Strand Renourishment project has officially begun in Surfside Beach and Garden City. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects this important coastal protection project to be completed by the end of August.
From the timeline provided by the Army Corps of Engineers, it looks like our beaches should fall into Section 3: 5th Ave. North to Myrtle Beach State Park. Estimated timeline: late July to early August (visit the Army Corps of Engineers Facebook page linked above for the detailed timeline).
Our property features more than 4,000 feet of beachfront, and the project is being completed in sections approximately 1,000 feet wide at a time. Only the area where the contractor is actively working will be closed to the public, while the majority of the beach will remain open and accessible as usual.
The primary purpose of this renourishment is to build a wider, higher beach and dune system capable of absorbing storm wave energy, which protects oceanfront homes, businesses, roads and utilities from flooding and structural damage.
While the wide, sandy beach also offers an inviting shoreline for tourists and the public, coastal protection remains the primary goal.
See the Army Corp of Engineers, Charleston District, Facebook page regarding this project.
Use this link to track the project in Horry County (the Grand Strand area).
Remember 2018?
It was the last time we had Beach Renourishment on the Grand Strand. The necessary beach renourishment (due to the 2017 storms) occurred at Ocean Lakes from Sunday, August 19th to Wednesday, August 23rd, 2018. See the video from 2018 to learn more!
Learn About Beach Renourishment and Know the Facts
How do they keep beaches open during the renourishment process?
Work happens in 1,000-foot sections and each section is blocked off using plastic orange fencing. The beach by Ocean Lakes Family Campground stretches nearly 5,000 feet, so there is plenty of beach available while crews are working. One concern is often noise due to the heavy equipment (see photo below).
Is it safe to swim?
Yes, enjoy the ocean! We recommend swimmers enter the ocean water at least 50-100 yards away from the orange fencing. Why? Depending on the water’s current that day, you can “drift” down the beach while swimming, surfing, etc. An example, you’re swimming in the ocean only to emerge from the water and wonder where your beach stuff is (then you realize it is about 50 yards up the beach where you entered the water).
Use Caution – we don’t want swimmers drifting into the work zone (they cannot fence off the ocean). Be especially mindful of children in the water.
Will there be enough room on the beach?
Yes. Soon there will be more room! Beach Renourishment pumps sand up onto the beach creating a bigger beach area. When all goes well (weather, machinery), crews can complete about 1,000 feet of beach per day.
In most areas, the fencing will be set up to leave walkways near the dunes area. Please note, the timeline evolves based on weather and/or mechanical issues. You can track the progress via this link.
