Save The Waves Coalition

Extinct Wave: The Cove, Washington

Date of Extinction


March 23, 1994

Problem


Coastal Armoring

Stop Future Destructions


Donate to Save The Waves

Responsible Parties


Army Corps of Engineers

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The cove used to be a naturally replenished barreling sand bar. It broke both right and left but the left was much better. However, coastal armoring has now caused it to produce only unmakeable gaping closeouts. It used to be a very consistent break that broke well most of the time.

However, nowadays it breaks rarely and only during a peaky wind swell. When it does break nowadays it breaks nothing like it used to.

On December 10, 1993 a breach was formed in the adjacent south jetty due to a powerful winter storm. The breach then continued to widen causing localized erosion to happen rapidly. This newly caused sand movement and erosion was viewed as a hazard to boat navigation and coastal homes and businesses.

Therefore, the Army Corps of Engineers received authorization on March 23, 1994 to fill the breach. They filled it with 600,000 cubic yards of material and the wave has practically disappeared.

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