Dare County, NC
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Outer Banks Shoreline Management
Beach nourishment projects in Dare County are designed to last approximately five years under normal conditions. At the end of each five-year interval, renourishment (maintenance) projects are necessary to restore the shoreline.
2026 Beach Nourishment Projects
A beach nourishment project for the unincorporated village of Buxton on Hatteras Island is expected to begin the week of July 27, 2026, placing 2 million cubic yards of sand onto the beach over a period of approximately 95 days, depending on weather.*
Click here to view Buxton Beach Nourishment project updates.
Click here to view the 2026 Buxton beach nourishment map.
*Please note that information regarding the timeline for this project is subject to change due to a variety of factors, including weather and ocean conditions, equipment issues and required maintenance, as well as other unforeseen circumstances.
AVON BEACH NOURISHMENT STATUS: COMPLETE
Beach nourishment in the village of Avon on Hatteras Island began on Thursday, May 28, 2026 and was completed on Thursday, June 25, 2026. To view the project map, click the link below.
Click here to view the 2026 Avon beach nourishment construction map.
Click here to view Avon Beach Nourishment specific project updates.
Click here to subscribe to receive Avon beach nourishment updates from Dare County.
Newsletters
A beach nourishment project is scheduled to take place in the Town of Nags Head between May 2026 and July 2026. The project will place sand on the beach from 2919 South Virginia Dare Trail to, and including, 10435 South Old Oregon Inlet Road. Detailed updates will be posted on the Town of Nags Head’s website as they become available. Updates from the Town of Nags Head are also available below.
Click here to view the 2026 Nags Head beach nourishment construction progress map.
Click here to view the latest updates from the Town of Nags Head.
July 10, 2026 Town of Nags Head Beach Nourishment Update:
The beach nourishment project continues to make steady progress and remains on track for completion within the next one to two weeks, weather and operational conditions permitting.
Crews are expected to complete the tie-in to the previously nourished section located just south of the Outer Banks Pier this weekend, creating a continuous stretch of restored shoreline through the southern project limits.
Following completion of this work, the contractor will return to the beach just south of the Holden Street public access near the 8300 block of South Old Oregon Inlet Road. From there, operations will progress northward to complete the final tie in with the already nourished section of beach just north of Glidden Street near the 6900 block of South Virginia Dare Trail. Once this remaining area is finished, beach fill activities are expected to conclude.
Equipment demobilization is now underway and will continue over the coming weeks as construction operations wrap up.
Access Updates
- Equipment is currently being demobilized through the Conch Street public beach access.
- The Gulfstream Way beach access remains fully closed; however, beach access is available at Jennette's Pier to the north.
- The Juncos Street public beach access is open to pedestrians when equipment demobilization is not taking place at the site.
Residents and visitors should continue to anticipate the presence of heavy equipment, temporary pipelines, and restricted access within the active construction zone. For public safety, beachgoers are asked to remain clear of construction area and follow all posted signage and instructions from project personnel.
July 2, 2026 Town of Nags Head Beach Nourishment Update:
The Town of Nags Head's 2026 beach nourishment project continues to make significant progress and remains on track for completion in mid-July, weather and operational conditions permitting.
In the northern project area, beach fill operations have been completed from approximately the 2900 block through the 6800 block of South Virginia Dare Trail. Construction is currently advancing southward, with the active fill section expected to reach the 7000 block of South Virginia Dare Trail, the southern extents of this beach fill section by the afternoon of Friday, July 3rd.
Upon reaching this location, beach nourishment operations will transition to a new pipeline corridor adjacent to the Hargrove Street Beach Access. Construction equipment will transit through the Jennette’s Pier area late Friday afternoon to facilitate this move. A temporary fill pad will be constructed before nourishment activities resume southward and tie into the previously completed beach fill section located just south of the Outer Banks Pier. This phase of work is anticipated to take approximately seven to ten days to complete, weather and operational conditions permitting.
Work will continue through the holiday weekend.
In the southern portion of the project area, demobilization activities remain underway near the Juncos Street Beach Access. Crews are actively removing shore pipe and associated equipment from completed sections of the beach, with this work expected to continue over the next week.
Project staging operations are currently being conducted from the Conch Street, Gulfstream Way, and Juncos Street beach accesses. Pedestrian access is being maintained at all three locations; however, vehicle parking restrictions remain in effect to accommodate construction activities. Beachgoers are encouraged to exercise caution when traveling through these areas, as heavy equipment, construction vehicles, and project personnel may be operating in and around the access points.
Construction progress has been intermittently affected by weather, surf conditions, dredge relocation, refueling operations, and minor mechanical or operational issues. While these factors have occasionally resulted in short pauses in construction activities, they have not caused any significant disruption to the overall project schedule
For daily construction progress updates, please check the 2026 Beach Restoration Project Area Map at https://www.nagsheadnc.gov/883/Beach-Nourishment-Background.
June 29, 2026 Town of Nags Head Beach Nourishment Update:
The beach nourishment project continues to progress well, with construction advancing from both the northern and southern portions of the approximately 10-mile project area. Progress has been intermittently affected by weather, surf conditions, dredge relocation, refueling, and minor mechanical or operational issues, resulting in occasional short pauses. However, these routine impacts have not caused any major disruptions to the overall construction sequence. Work is actively progressing toward the anticipated tie-in south of the Outer Banks Pier, and the project remains on track for completion in mid-July, weather and operational conditions permitting.
- Northern Section: Beach fill has been completed from approximately the 2900 block through the 6200 block of South Virginia Dare Trail. Work is continuing southward. The R.B. Weeks, a hopper-type dredge, will remain on station for the remainder of the project and will complete the tie-in with the work advanced from the southern section.
Demobilization from the current hopper dredge staging area at Conch Street is expected to begin within the next week. Staging operations will then be relocated to the Gulfstream Way beach access, which will serve as the main staging area for the remainder of the project. - Southern Section: Work has been completed from approximately the 9000 block through the 10400 block of South Old Oregon Inlet Road. This completes the northern extent of the work performed by the R.S. Weeks, a hydraulic-type dredge, which is expected to depart within the next several days. Remaining fill operations will be completed by the R.B. Weeks as it continues southward.
Shore pipe material and related equipment will be removed progressively over the next several days from areas where nourishment work has been completed. Demobilization from the hydraulic dredge staging area at Juncos Street is also expected to begin within the next week, with staging activities relocating to Gulfstream Way beach access
June 18, 2026 Town of Nags Head Beach Nourishment Update:
Work in the south end of Nags Head, near Mile Post 21, will continue to progress south over the next 7 to 9 days to about 500 feet into Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Progress has slowed because of the increased precision required when working in close proximity to structures such as homes and beach walkovers and due to dunes being built in pre-defined areas.
Once the dredge working in the north end of Nags Head, near Mile Post 14, returns to the project late on Friday afternoon, construction is expected to begin in the 5700 block of South Virginia Dare Trail near the Epstein public beach access. Following initial work around the submerged pipeline in that area, beach nourishment will continue northward until it connects with the section previously completed near the 4700 block of South Virginia Dare Trail.
The Gulfstream Way access will be closed tomorrow morning for equipment staging and is expected to remain closed until the project is complete in late July. The equipment now staged at the Conch Street beach access will progressively be moved to the Gulfstream Way access. When all the equipment has been removed from Conch Street, vehicular access will be reopened to the public.
Estimated Start Date: Late Summer 2026/Fall 2026
Timeline: 45-60 days
July 10, 2026 Update
Dare County has executed an $8.6 million contract with SJ Hamill Construction Company for the repair of the Buxton terminal groin, and preparations for construction are now well underway.
SJ Hamill has begun ordering the stone and sheet piles needed for the repair, and the project's staging area has been inspected in advance of construction activities. As materials begin arriving, the contractor will begin placing stone and initiating work on the structure, with construction expected to get underway in August 2026. The exact start of in-water construction will depend on the delivery schedule for the specialized materials that have already been ordered.
The terminal groin repair is being coordinated alongside the upcoming Buxton beach nourishment project to maximize efficiency and help strengthen the long-term stability of Buxton's oceanfront. This coordinated approach will help minimize disruptions while supporting the long-term protection of the shoreline.
Under the terms of the contract, substantial completion is defined as 450 linear feet of the groin being constructed by December 15, 2026 with the overall project expected to be completed by the end of 2026, weather and material delivery schedules permitting. If weather or material lead times affect the construction schedule, the project must be fully completed by June 1, 2027.
Dare County will continue to provide updates as construction progresses and additional project milestones are reached.
June 15, 2026 Update
During a special meeting on June 15, 2026, the Dare County Board of Commissioners awarded an $8.6 million contract to SJ Hamill Construction Company for the Buxton terminal groin repair project after determining the lowest bidder could not meet the required construction schedule. The project, which is expected to begin in late summer 2026 and be completed by the end of the year (or no later than June 1, 2027, if delays occur), will repair the terminal groin to help maintain shoreline stability, reduce erosion and protect N.C. Highway 12. The repair project builds on work approved in 2025, including engineering, permitting and construction management services, and will be completed in coordination with the planned 2026 Buxton beach nourishment project.
Beach Nourishment Project Schedule
| Area | Equipment Staging* | Construction Start Date* | project duration* | Completion Date | Previous projects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avon | May 18, 2026 | May 28, 2026 | ~28 days | June 25, 2026 | Previously completed on July 27, 2022 |
| Buxton | June 2026 | Late July 2026* |
~95 days* | Previously completed on August 16, 2022 |
|
| Nags Head | April 2026 | May 19, 2026 | May to mid-July 2026* | Previously completed on August 27, 2022 |
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2027 |
2027 |
TBD | |||
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2027 |
2027
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TBD | |||
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2027 |
2027 |
TBD | |||
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2027 |
2027 |
TBD |
*Please note that this information is subject to change. More detailed information regarding any plans and potential schedules for future renourishment/maintenance projects in Dare County will be provided as it becomes available.
2027 Beach Nourishment Projects
Beach Nourishment Project Updates:
Buxton Beach Nourishment Update: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company has announced an updated timeline for the Buxton beach nourishment project, with the dredge Liberty Island now expected to arrive in Dare County during the week of Monday, July 27, 2026.* This revised schedule is approximately one week later than the previously anticipated arrival during the week of July 20, 2026.
To help maintain the original construction schedule, Great Lakes has also announced that a second dredge will arrive in Dare County in mid-August 2026 to assist with the Buxton project. With the addition of the second dredge, the project is expected to remain on schedule for completion by September 30, 2026.*
On June 22, 2026, the Liberty Island departed the Avon beach nourishment project and traveled to Norfolk, Virginia, for maintenance and repairs. Shortly thereafter, the hopper dredge Amelia Island arrived in Dare County to complete the Avon beach nourishment project while repairs were underway. Beach nourishment in Avon was successfully completed on June 25, 2026.
During maintenance in Norfolk, it was determined that the Liberty Island requires the replacement of a specialized pump used for beach nourishment operations. Great Lakes is currently awaiting fabrication and installation of the replacement pump before the dredge can resume pumping sand. While awaiting this specialized component, the Liberty Island is temporarily working on another project that does not require pumping operations. The vessel is not performing beach nourishment or dredging work elsewhere that would otherwise delay its arrival in Buxton.
Once the replacement pump has been installed, the Liberty Island will depart for Dare County and is expected to arrive during the week of Monday, July 27, 2026, when beach nourishment operations in Buxton will begin. Approximately 2 million cubic yards of sand will be placed along Buxton's oceanfront beaches over an estimated 95-day construction period, depending on weather and ocean conditions.*
Residents and visitors will begin seeing mobilization activities in Buxton over the coming weeks as preparations continue for the project. These activities will primarily include staging and stockpiling equipment on private lots along Cottage Avenue, Cape Court and Old Lighthouse Road.
To sign up to receive email updates on the Buxton beach nourishment project, click here.
Dare County’s contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, has announced an updated timeline for the Buxton beach nourishment project, with sand placement now expected to begin the week of July 20, 2026.*
The revised schedule reflects adjustments to the contractor’s construction timeline as the dredge that will perform the work—the Liberty Island—completes repairs and scheduled maintenance before arriving in Buxton.
Beach nourishment in Avon was completed on Thursday, June 25, 2026, allowing the contractor to begin demobilizing equipment there and transition to Buxton. Residents and visitors will begin seeing mobilization activities in Buxton over the coming weeks in preparation for the start of beach nourishment. These activities will primarily consist of staging and stockpiling equipment on private lots located along Cottage Avenue, Cape Court and Old Lighthouse Road.
Great Lakes currently expects the dredge to arrive in Buxton in mid- to late July, at which point sand placement will begin. Approximately 2 million cubic yards of sand will be placed on Buxton’s oceanfront beaches over a period of approximately 95 days, depending on weather and ocean conditions.*
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company has announced that on Saturday, June 20, 2026, its hopper dredge, Liberty Island, completed sand placement within the northern portion of the Avon beach nourishment project area.
With work in the northern section complete, the contractor began moving south from Pampas Drive toward the project’s southern limit near Greenwood Place. On Monday, June 22, 2026, the Liberty Island departed the site in Avon for Norfolk, Virginia, to undergo maintenance. Great Lakes’ hopper dredge Amelia Island is expected to arrive onsite today (Tuesday, June 23, 2026) to finish sand placement in Avon.
Based on current progress, Great Lakes estimates that the remaining work can be completed within the next 10 days, weather permitting.*
Since beach nourishment operations began on Thursday, May 28, 2026, approximately 289,228 cubic yards of sand have been placed on the beach—representing roughly 77% of the project’s total volume. To date, approximately 65% of the planned one-mile project area has been completed.
Beachgoers are reminded to use caution around active construction areas and follow all posted signage and instructions from project personnel.
Read Issue No. 2 of Coastal Science & Engineering’s Avon beach nourishment newsletter.
*NOTE: Please note that information regarding the timeline(s) for each project is subject to change due to a variety of factors, including weather, equipment issues and other unforeseen circumstances. More detailed information for 2026 beach nourishment projects in Dare County will be provided as it becomes available.
Monday, June 1, 2026 Update:
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company has reported that the dredge Liberty Island has returned to Avon, N.C. and has resumed pumping sand within the middle of the Avon beach nourishment project area. The contractor will continue to work north toward Avon Fishing Pier. Once pumping within the northern portion of the Avon project area is complete, contractors will begin working south from Yucca Street until they finish with the southern taper.
Click here to view the 2026 Avon beach nourishment construction progress map.
ORV Ramp 38 Reminder:
The parking lot located at Cape Hatteras National Seashore's off-road vehicle ramp 38, located south of Avon, N.C., will be closed through July 15, 2026 to accommodate Dare County’s beach nourishment project. During this time, visitors to the beach at ramp 38 can expect intermittent, short-term delays entering and exiting the ramp as workers move equipment to and from the beach.
*NOTE: Please note that information regarding the timeline(s) for each project is subject to change due to a variety of factors, including weather, equipment issues and other unforeseen circumstances. More detailed information for 2026 beach nourishment projects in Dare County will be provided as it becomes available.
Friday, May 29, 2026 Update:
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company has reported that the dredge Liberty Island—which began pumping sand onto the beach in Avon on Thursday, May 28, 2026—has experienced a mechanical issue and is heading offsite for repairs. The dredge is currently expected to return to Dare County and resume pumping early next week.
On the afternoon of Thursday, May 28, 2026, the contractor began pumping in the middle of the Avon project area, near Seaside Street (across from Food Lion), and worked north toward Avon Fishing Pier. Once the dredge returns and pumping within the northern portion of the Avon project area is complete, contractors will begin working south from Seaside Street until they finish with the southern taper.
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company estimates that it will take approximately 2 weeks (14 days) to place approximately 375,000 cubic yards of material on the beach in Avon, NC (weather dependent).*
Click here to view the 2026 Avon beach nourishment construction progress map.
ORV Ramp 38 Reminder:
The parking lot located at Cape Hatteras National Seashore's off-road vehicle ramp 38, located south of Avon, N.C., will be closed through July 15, 2026 to accommodate Dare County’s beach nourishment project. During this time, visitors to the beach at ramp 38 can expect intermittent, short-term delays entering and exiting the ramp as workers move equipment to and from the beach.
Dare County’s contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, has provided an update on the projected arrival date for the dredge that will be tasked with performing beach nourishment in the unincorporated village of Avon, NC.
Avon Beach Nourishment:
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company has reported that the dredge Liberty Island will arrive in Avon, NC on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, and expects to begin pumping sand in the afternoon. The contractor will begin pumping in the middle of the Avon project area, near Seaside Street (across from Food Lion) and work north toward Avon Fishing Pier. Once pumping within the northern portion of the Avon project area is complete, contractors will begin working south from Seaside Street until they finish with the southern taper.
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company estimates that it will take approximately 2 weeks (14 days) to place approximately 375,000 cubic yards of material on the beach in Avon, NC (weather dependent).*
Buxton Beach Nourishment:
A beach nourishment project for the unincorporated village of Buxton on Hatteras Island is expected to begin in mid-June 2026, placing 2 million cubic yards of sand onto the beach over a period of approximately 95 days (weather dependent).*
ORV Ramp 38 Reminder:
From May 18, 2026 through July 15, 2026, Cape Hatteras National Seashore will close the parking lot located at off-road vehicle ramp 38, located south of Avon, N.C., to accommodate Dare County’s beach nourishment project. During this time, visitors to the beach at ramp 38 can expect intermittent, short-term delays entering and exiting the ramp as workers move equipment to and from the beach. For more information, contact caha_public_affairs@nps.gov.
*NOTE: Please note that information regarding the timeline(s) for each project is subject to change due to a variety of factors, including weather, equipment issues and other unforeseen circumstances. More detailed information for 2026 beach nourishment projects in Dare County will be provided as it becomes available.
Avon and Buxton Beach Nourishment Update:
Dare County’s contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, is currently in the process of mobilizing equipment in Avon, where beach nourishment is now expected to begin before the end of May 2026. Great Lakes estimates that it will take approximately 2 weeks (14 days) to place approximately 375,000 cubic yards of material on the beach in Avon (weather dependent). The contractor then expects it to take approximately one week to demobilize all of their equipment and begin moving it to Buxton.
During a special Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting held on Monday, May 11, 2026, the board voted to move forward with a larger beach nourishment project in Buxton than initially planned—with the expectation that approximately $30.4 million in FEMA funding, which is currently in Congressional Review, will be awarded to Dare County for the project in the coming weeks.
The updated plan that was approved by the Dare County Board of Commissioners on Monday, May 11, 2026 increases the Buxton nourishment project from the previously approved 1,351,616 cubic yards to 2 million cubic yards—an increase of 648,384 cubic yards of sand. Beach nourishment in Buxton is currently expected to begin in mid-June 2026 (weather dependent).*
*Please note that this information is subject to change. More detailed information regarding schedules and timelines for beach nourishment projects in Dare County will be provided as it becomes available.
Dare County’s contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, is planning to start beach nourishment in the Village of Avon, prior to performing beach nourishment in the Village of Buxton. The exact location where they will begin in Avon has not yet been determined by the contractor. Great Lakes expects to start pumping sand onto the beach in Avon between May 6, 2026 and May 14, 2026, depending on weather conditions.
Great Lakes currently estimates that it will take approximately 2 weeks (14 days) to place approximately 375,000 cubic yards of material on the beaches in Avon (weather dependent). The contactor also expects it to take approximately one week to demobilize all of their equipment and begin moving it to Buxton.
Great Lakes expects to start pumping sand on the north end of Buxton and then continue working south; however, this is subject to change based on their ability to do so. Great Lakes expects to start placing material on the beaches in Buxton the first week of June 2026. Great Lakes expects for the base amount of approximately 1,351,616 cubic yards to take approximately 65 days to place on the beach in Buxton (weather dependent). If the county receives notification from FEMA regarding additional funding, more material will be placed on the beach, which could extend the project in Buxton until end of September 2026.
During the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Dare County Chief Financial Officer Matt Motyka shared an overview of the county’s Beach Nourishment Model before providing an update on the projects that are scheduled for 2026, which include those planned to take place within the unincorporated villages of Buxton and Avon on Hatteras Island, as well as the Town of Nags Head.
Due to rising construction and dredging costs since the most recent nourishment projects were completed in 2022, the county is reviewing and refining its funding model to ensure the Beach Nourishment Fund remains sustainable. Costs are increasing faster than revenues flowing into the fund, which is supported primarily by the Occupancy Tax.
Motyka also noted that there is uncertainty regarding FEMA reimbursement for the planned 2026 beach nourishment projects in Buxton and Avon. If FEMA funding is not received, the county would have fewer financial resources available for the project, which would result in a consequential reduction in the volume of sand placed on the beach. The county is therefore evaluating two scenarios—one that factors in FEMA funding being received and one that does not.
As next steps, Motyka shared that the Town of Nags Head voted at its February 4, 2026 meeting to proceed with its 2026 beach nourishment project. Additionally, he requested that the Dare County Board of Commissioners authorize an allocation of $13,067,426 from the county’s Beach Nourishment Fund to support the Town of Nags Head project. The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the allocation, advancing plans for the 2026 nourishment efforts.
The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted during its January 6, 2025 meeting to authorize Dare County Finance Director David Clawson to sign the Designation of Applicant’s Agent (DAA) and State-Applicant Disaster Assistance Agreement (SAA). These agreements are necessary to apply to receive federal and state funding following loss of sand in the project area in Buxton during Potential Tropical Cyclone #8 last September.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared Dare County eligible for disaster assistance due to the storm’s impacts, which resulted in approximately 175,000 cubic yards of sand loss in Buxton. A post-storm survey conducted by Coastal Science and Engineering placed the cost of replacing this sand at $10.2 million. If the funding is approved, the county plans to integrate this effort into its larger 2026 maintenance project, leveraging efficiencies and cost savings.