Sebastian Inlet: Yesterday and TodayBy,

Doug Piatkowski

Background- Man made cut dividing Brevard and Indian River counties

- Not federally maintained waterway

- Maintained as navigable waterway for vessels

History- 1886-1924:

- First recorded attempt in 1886 by Captain David O. Gibson by hand

- Too small scale to maintain a stable inlet

- 1919: Sebastian Inlet tax district – responsible for maintenance

-1924-1942:

- Remained unstable

- Initial hard substrate protection (jetties and bulkhead)

- Closed by Northeaster

History- 1948-present:

- Inlet reopened: new channel dredged in NE/SW direction at $50,000 – tidal prism increase 2 X

- 1955: Jetty extensions completed

- 1970: Final extension completed ($560,000)

new

old

Inlet Effects

Jetty Construction

PROS:

- Habitat for many fish species

- Large fishing attraction

- Sand bar and wave refraction – Surfing “First Peak”

- Monster hole – Ebb tidal delta

“First Peak”

Fishing

Refraction

“sick” barrells

CONS:

- Jetties prevent littoral drift from North to South

- Erosion of southern end (lawsuit)

- Inlet halting about 75,000 cubic yrds/year

- Constant maintenance necessary

Inlet Effects

“Monster Hole”

Erosion of south end

Monster Hole Ebb Tidal Delta

Jetty Damage

Repair or Rebuild

- Jetty damage from storm events:

- “Halloween Swell”

- Hurricane Floyd: close last 79 ft

- Loosen foundation and rust rebar

- $7 million: rebuild or repair north jetty:

- Debate - maintenance and protection

- Begin: summer 2001

- Fourteen months to complete

ReferencesEager, W. 13 February 2000. Stuart News Company Press Journal.

“Recalling the early days at Sebastian Inlet State Park.” Sports; Pg. B10.

Kaiser, M. 21 May 2000. Stuart News Company Press Journal. “A line in the wind.” Indian River County; Pg. A1.

Mehta, A.J., Wm. D. Adams, and C.P. Jones. 1976. Sebastian Inlet: Glossary of Inlets Report #3. Sea Grant. Gainsville, FL. 52p.

Meseroll, D. 2000. Eastern Surf Magazine. Right Coast Media, INC. Indialantic, FL. p.50.

Press Journal Staff. 11 June 2000. Stuart News Company Press Journal. “Inlet officials consider fate of jetty.” Indian River County; Pg. D6.

Robinson, D. 9 June 2000. Stuart News Company Press Journal. “Inlet’s jetty juncture: repair or replace?” Indian River County; Pg. A1.

Robinson, D. 26 January 2000. Stuart News Company Press Journal. “Study: wind, waves depositing sand south of inlet.” A section; Pg. A8.

Robinson, D. 26 January 2000. Stuart News Company Press Journal. “Report: inlet management plan has holes.” A section; Pg. A8.

http://www.tidelines.com/tides/florgulf.html

http://srh.noaa.gov/mlb/hwofiles/lili.htm