Miami-Dade County Beaches in Florida Run Out of Sand

By: Lorraine Boissoneault

Published: August 19,2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beach sand dune on Emerald Coast, Florida. (Thinkstock)

Florida's beaches attract tourists from around the country, but they might not be able to support big crowds for much longer, because the beaches are running out of sand.
According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prioritized the sand loss problem in Miami-Dade county, where some of the most popular beaches are located, and are holding public meetings to discuss where new sources of sand might be found.
The Army Corps has been battling the natural forces of erosion along the Florida coastline since the 1970s, since the coasts are more vulnerable to hurricanes if the sand is all gone, says Discovery News. The sand normally accumulates along the shoreline naturally, but because of damming up rivers there's less sediment coming onto the shore.
Although there's enough sand in southeastern Florida to replenish the counties that most need help with their beaches, the sources are located far away, meaning high costs for sand relocation, reported the International Business Times. For now, beach-goers will have to keep their fingers crossed and hope there will be a new agreement on the local budget for beach-replenishment projects.
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Bondi Beach, Australia. (Credit: Gray Malin)