Preserving Quonochontaug Beach

Following CRMC approval and in collaboration with landowners, NICA has completed conservation work guided by GZA GeoEnvironmental and NICA’s Science Advisory Committee. The project redesigned three beach access paths off the sand trail parking lots serving Weekapaug, Shelter Harbor, and Shady Harbor Fire District residents. The new curved path designs reduce winter sand runoff into the parking lots—replacing straight paths that allowed dune sand to wash directly into the lots—keeping more sand in the dunes in line with best practices. Westerly-based PS Yardwork LLC completed the work per GZA’s specifications on April 3. Old paths have been closed to allow dune and native species recovery.

Purpose of the Path Redesign

The current configuration of the access paths has contributed to significant overwash and flooding of the adjacent parking areas during recent storm events. Their straight, perpendicular alignment to the shoreline channels wave energy directly inland, intensifying these impacts.

The redesigned paths will follow a more natural, curved alignment through the foredune system. This approach helps dissipate wave energy, reduces overwash, and enhances the resilience of the barrier beach. In addition to protecting the landscape, these improvements are expected to reduce the substantial costs associated with post-storm sand removal and minimize the environmental disruption caused by heavy equipment used in those efforts.

It will also save cost to the Fire Districts associated with clearing sand from the parking lots and depositing it back on the beach and avoid the environmental disruption that this causes.