January 27, 2018

January 27, 2018

October 19, 2018

October 19, 2018

October 19, 2018

So at this point, the bottom line is that after being fairly stable for about 4 ½ years, the breach is in the process of closing. This is something that was inevitable for an undefended inlet through a barrier island and there are many examples of that happening both locally and farther along the coast. Of course the next question is when will it close entirely and that is no more easily estimated now than it ever was. There is beach reclamation activities through shore nourishment to the east along Smith Point Park and west of Moriches Inlet. Sand put up against the shore in that manner is never stable and enters the littoral drift to the west almost immediately. Some of that sand will end up in the breach. Whether the closure happens quickly or is postponed by some major winter storm remains to be seen. Last year’s winter nor’easters did not open up the breach to a noticeable degree so I would guess the closure would be sooner rather than later.