Next Dredging Of Blind Pass Will Begin In Late 2015 Or Early 2016.
Concern About Beach Erosion Near Sanibel-Captiva Road, Just South Of Blind Pass.
Blind Pass Bridge, Aerial View, Sanibel & Captiva Islands.
James Evans, Sanibel’s director of natural resources, led a discussion of beach erosion just south of Blind Pass, opposite the Lazy Flamingo, which could eventually threaten Sanibel-Captiva Road.
In this location, the sand escarpment, or drop-off to the water line and wave and erosion activity, is now just 30 feet from Sanibel-Captiva Road.
The Sanibel City Counsel discussed various alternatives to protect this area from further erosion, including installing boulders to protect the beach front and the possible relocation of sand from Blind Pass into this area to rebuild the beach.
Blind Pass is scheduled to be re-dredged starting in late 2015 or early 2016 to keep the pass open for navigation and to reduce the ebb-tidal shoal that has been building at the mouth of Blind Pass.
The City Council asked that situation be monitored on a daily basis and authorized the use of emergency funds if necessary to reinforce the beach in this area.
The ebbs and flows of sand and opening and closing of passes on barrier islands is a natural occurrence.
Blind Pass, Sanibel, Prior To Dredging, File Photo By Florida Sea Grant, Via Creative Commons.
Sanibel, Captiva & North Captiva Islands were originally connected as one island (with a modest channel at Blind Pass) prior to two significant hurricanes in the 1920s which created Redfish Pass and separated North Captiva Island.
Featured image of Blind Pass dredging file photo by Florida Sea Grant, Via Creative Commons.
