DNREC to Resume Sand Bypass Operations At Indian River Inlet After Signing Contract With First State Crane Service

Piping and other equipment for DNREC's Indian River Inlet Sand Bypass System are being deployed this month, with the system expected to resume pumping sand over the next few weeks to renourish the northside beach and dune at the inlet and help protect critical infrastructure including the Indian River Bridge /DNREC photo

Equipment Assembly Underway; Pumping Expected to Start Mid-month;
Public Cautioned Against Entering Bypass Work Zone Through May 15

Having signed a contract March 3 with First State Crane Service to operate the new Indian River Inlet Sand Bypass System, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is set to resume sand pumping later this month for beach and dune nourishment with the new bypass system under the joint supervision of DNREC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The runup to resuming bypass operations began Tuesday when the contractor moved equipment to the inlet work site within Delaware Seashore State Park. Fencing and signage is to be posted today around the work area cautioning "Do Not Enter" to park visitors and recreationalists. Disregarding the caution as the bypass system ramps up may result in prosecution.

The new construction crane integral to resuming sand bypass operations is being assembled onsite. Starting next week, DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section crews will move pipe into position for startup.

The prep work and pipe placement beginning March 9 (weather permitting) will require intermittent closures of the beach crossovers adjacent to the inlet's Southside jetty. Stressing public safety, DNREC will further restrict access to the inlet's Southside during pumping operations - with signage and detour markers posted in the area. Similar access restrictions to the Northside beach and dune will be in place for pipe placement and during installation of piping in the inlet.

Operation of the new bypass system - which features electric engines that went online late last summer for a successful trial run - is tentatively scheduled to start the week of March 16.

The State contract that DNREC signed with First State Crane Service calls for the company to operate the bypass system from March 3 through May 15, then to restart the system after Labor Day and to pump sand continuously through May 15, 2027. For more information about the sand bypass system, visit the de.gov/sandbypass webpage.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state's natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo and the Indian River Marina. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, [email protected]; Nikki Lavoie, [email protected];

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