Preserving the Natural Balance of Brevard’s Beaches

Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass Project

File photo of the Dredge Illinois
(Photo: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company)

The Canaveral Harbor Federal Sand Bypass Project, Phase VI, will dredge 1,500,000 cubic yards of sand from the shoreline north of Port Canaveral and place the sand along two beach areas south of the inlet: 3.3 miles along the City of Cape Canaveral & north Cocoa Beach, and 3.7 miles along south Cocoa Beach.
 
Project construction will be from November 2024 through April 2025. Work not constructed during that period will be completed from November 2025 through April 2026.
 
The project transfers sand from north to south across the inlet that has been interrupted by the federal inlet jetties and ship channel.
 
This is the sixth sand bypass project since its inception in 1995. The sand placement will initially widen the beach by about 100 feet, after which the sand will drift southward, maintaining Brevard’s beaches at their historical dimensions.
 
Project construction is managed and 100% funded by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Additional design, permitting & monitoring is provided and funded by the Canaveral Port Authority (Project Sponsor), Brevard County (co-Sponsor), and Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection – with logistical support by the US Space Force SL Delta 45.
 
While construction moves along the beach, there will be temporary, local beach access closures for 2 to 4 days.