Category: Engineering

Sand Scraping Project Update 10/21/26

On By SIPOAIn Beach, Beach Projects, Boardwalks, Engineering

Since the sand scraping work began on 10/15/26, high winds and wave energy have created challenges. To expedite the placement of sand at Boardwalk 9 ahead of anticipated king tides, an additional sand hauling route is being added over roads.

Beginning today (10/21/26), sand will be hauled from Boardwalk 1 to a beach access path behind Beach Club Villas to be placed at Boardwalk 9. The sand hauling route is shown in the figure below.

Sand will be hauled along this route for 3-4 weeks.

Sand hauling along the beach will resume after this time. Please exercise patience if you encounter sand hauling trucks on the roadway.

Temporary Beach Rules During the 2026 SIPOA Sand Scraping Project

On By SIPOAIn Beach, Beach Projects, Engineering, SIPOA, Town of Seabrook Island

The Town has adopted Emergency Ordinance 2026-01 (Amended) to establish temporary beach rules while SIPOA conducts its sand scraping project.

The temporary rules are intended to help protect residents, visitors, wildlife, marine life, and sensitive shorebird and sea turtle habitats while construction vehicles are operating on the beach. The sand transfer project is expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.

All temporary beach rules go into effect on October 15, 2026.

Pet Rules:

A restricted beach area will extend from Boardwalk #1 to the Atlantic Ocean and northeast to Captain Sams Inlet. Pets will not be permitted in this restricted area at any time, whether leashed or unleashed.

In all other areas of the beach, pets must be kept on a leash at all times.

Beach Fires:

Fires, open flames, and propane-fueled grills, cookers, or heating devices will not be permitted during this time.

Nighttime Beach Access:

Public access to Seabrook Island beaches will be prohibited between sunset and sunrise.

Lake House Renovation Update #4

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, Fitness, Lake House, Lake House Renovation, Wellness

What Changes Can You Expect?

Renovations continue at the Lake House on the fitness studio and dry sauna. Demolition is nearly complete as seen below:

What will look different?

The fitness studio will gain approximately 400 square feet of space. The room will be transformed into a more functional exercise space with a large glass panel folding wall that can be opened to allow for use of the new indoor / outdoor exercise patio.

The dry sauna will have a men’s and women’s side and will be able to accommodate 4-6 people each. Each sauna will be accessible from the men’s and women’s locker rooms, respectively, and will be a welcomed new amenity at the Lake House.

Renovation Reminders:

Men’s Locker Room Access

  • The entrance to the men’s locker room from the fitness side is now closed.
  • The locker room remains accessible through the entrance on the indoor pool deck.
  • Please use that entrance only and follow the posted signs.

Please Avoid Construction Areas

  • The back lawn, back porch, fitness studio, and loading docks are closed.
  • For everyone’s safety, please respect these closures and follow all posted signage.

Class Locations & Weather Updates

  • All classes held in Live Oak Hall will continue as scheduled.
  • Tuesday Barre, Friday Vinyasa Flow, and all semi-private classes will be held in the outdoor classroom.
  • Tuesday and Thursday Heated Stretch, and Thursday Barre will be held in Live Oak Hall.

For weather-related class updates, sign up for Lake House Text Alerts by texting seabrooklakehouse to 84483.

Sand Scraping Project 2026

On By SIPOAIn Beach, Beach Projects, Engineering

SIPOA will begin the 2026 sand scraping project on October 15th. A general site layout for the project is shown below. The contractor will begin mobilizing to the site and staging equipment at the end of boardwalk 2 on October 12th. A table outlining the impacts to all SIPOA boardwalks is also provided below.

The project will be completed no later than December 31st

Residents are allowed to use the beach during construction, but should exercise caution when construction equipment is active on the beach.

Dogs will be required to be on leash at all times during construction.

Use this link to access the full Get the Scoop presentation from 9/14/26 that outlines the sand scraping project here.

Thank you for your patience as we work to keep our shoreline in great condition.

Sand Transport on Seabrook Island

On By SIPOAIn Beach, Engineering

COMMUNITY EDUCATION – SIPOA INFRASTRUCTURE

SIPOA maintains a wide range of infrastructure on the island including stormwater, roads, beaches, and lakes. In an effort to help educate residents on how SIPOA manages this infrastructure, we have created an Infrastructure Master Plan. This page serves as a dashboard that outlines SIPOA’s infrastructure management practices. Each month we will highlight a different piece of the Infrastructure Master Plan.

SAND TRANSPORT ON SEABROOK ISLAND

Seabrook Island’s shoreline is a dynamic system with sand moving in and out constantly based on a variety of variables. This dynamic nature means that the shape of Seabrook’s shoreline is always changing. More detailed information on how sand moves on and around Seabrook is outlined here.

FUN FACT: Shoal bypassing is how sand transports across tidal inlet from one shoreline to the next. At Seabrook Island, and in SC in general, sand naturally transports from north to south.

Sand Scraping Project Equipment

On By SIPOAIn Beach, Beach Projects, Engineering

Today, SIPOA installed some equipment on the beach above the high tide line near Boardwalk 6. This equipment will allow us to count trucks of sand on the beach during the upcoming sand scraping project. It is currently being tested and will remain in place until the sand scraping project is complete. 

Please do not touch or disrupt the equipment if you see it on the beach. 

Thanks for your help with this!

Beach Management Update

On By SIPOAIn Beach, Beach Projects, Engineering, Environmental, Get the Scoop, GOMC

Next month, SIPOA will begin a sand scraping project to relocate sand from an area of the beach with an abundant sand supply to an area of the beach with a diminished sand supply.

150,000 cubic yards of sand will be moved from the intertidal beach in the area in front of Boardwalk 1 to the area between Boardwalks 7 and 9. Many residents have noticed the erosion at the end of Boardwalk 9 and the recently closed Boardwalk 7. This project will rebuild the dry sand beach in these areas and in front of the seawall.

If you would like to know more about this project and/or other beach management-related topics, please plan to attend the next Get the Scoop Presentation on September 14th at 3:00 PM at Oyster Catcher Community Center. Patrick Barrineau (Coastal Science & Engineering) and I will present on the sand scraping project. They will also provide an update on the status of the future Captain Sams Inlet Relocation project.

Beneath the Surface – Shoreline Focus

On By SIPOAIn Beach, Beach Projects, Engineering, GOMC, Infrastructure

COMMUNITY EDUCATION – SIPOA INFRASTRUCTURE

SIPOA maintains a wide range of infrastructure on the island including stormwater, roads, beaches, and lakes. In an effort to help educate residents on how SIPOA manages this infrastructure, we have created an Infrastructure Master Plan. This page serves as a dashboard that outlines SIPOA’s infrastructure management practices. Each month we will highlight a different piece of the Infrastructure Master Plan.

Managing Seabrook Island’s Dynamic Shoreline

When Seabrook Island was developed in the 1970’s, the beach looked very different than it does today. Several unsuccessful shoreline management strategies were implemented before finally establishing stability through an innovative inlet relocation program.

The history of Seabrook Island’s Shoreline Management Program is outlined here.

FUN FACT: Did you know the 2026 sand scraping project will mark the 12th time SIPOA has completed the work?

Yard Debris Removal Update & BW7 Closed

On By SIPOAIn Boardwalks, Engineering, Severe Weather

Yard Debris Removal Update

SIPOA’s yard debris contractor, Sandlapper Waste, has been working hard to remove yard debris associated with the storm on Saturday. They filled two trucks today and plan to return to the island on Friday to continue removing yard debris. 

Residents are reminded that only Property Owner-generated yard debris is to be placed on the curb. 

If you have a landscape contractor working on your yard, the contractor needs to haul away that yard debris rather than placing it on the curb. 

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to keep our roadways clean.

Boardwalk 7 Closed

The beach has experienced some erosion at the bottom of Boardwalk 7. 

The drop off from the bottom step to the beach / rocks is currently unsafe. 

The boardwalk is temporarily closed until further notice.

Infrastructure Master Plan

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, Infrastructure, Intern Program

COMMUNITY EDUCATION – SIPOA INFRASTRUCTURE

SIPOA maintains a wide range of infrastructure on the island including stormwater, roads, beaches, and lakes. In an effort to help educate residents on how SIPOA manages this infrastructure, we have created an Infrastructure Master Plan. This page serves as a dashboard that outlines SIPOA’s infrastructure management practices. Each month we will highlight a different piece of the Infrastructure Master Plan.

STORMWATER OUTFALLS

A stormwater outfall is the point where stormwater leaves a stormwater pipe and enters the downstream marsh.

The marsh is always changing and the path the stormwater takes from the pipe to the tidal channel must be maintained as part of the stormwater infrastructure.

This summer, the engineering interns completed an in-depth survey and condition assessment of all 64 stormwater outfalls on Seabrook Island. The results of this study are presented in one of our newest pieces, Stormwater Outfall Management Program. This program outlines past, present, and future outfall maintenance practices.

We hope that this tool helps residents understand more about this piece of SIPOA’s infrastructure.