Just in time for Breachway campground opening on Saturday
The $8.4M project included breachway restoration, channel
dredging, beach re-nourishment with the creation of two sand dunes and
plantings planned for fall. $5M was contributed through a DEM request and
allocated by the State through CRMC, $2M from CRMC for dredging, and $1.4M
provided by the Town of Charlestown.
Contractors reconstructed the west breachway wall in two
tiers of stone. Dredged material was reused to restore the town beach, repair
erosion along the wall’s west side, and construct two storm-resilient dunes on
the same side. The work has restored the breachway’s structural integrity,
improved navigation, stabilized the coastline against climate impacts, and
preserved water flow in and out of Ninigret Pond to maintain ecological balance
and water quality. Work
began last November and was completed in late March 2026. These
long-term repairs will help safeguard coastal infrastructure, the environment,
and the community.
“Rhode Island is on the front lines and bearing the brunt of the impacts from climate change. Strengthening the resiliency of our coastal infrastructure protects our environment, communities, and economy from the impacts of sea level rise and increased storm surge events,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Throughout the project, there was effective communication and engagement with the stakeholders and members of the community in the area on the direction and progress of the work. The Breachway, Ninigret Pond, and the beachfront all provide crucial environmental, recreational, and economic benefits not only for Charlestown, but all of Rhode Island. DEM is grateful to everyone at CRMC, the Town of Charlestown, URI, and contractors whose hard work made this project to repair and rebuild the breachway walls and the dunes that will protect it in the future successful.”
"CRMC is proud to have been an integral part of
this highly collaborative project between the Town, DEM and the
Governor," said CRMC Executive Director Jeffrey Willis.
"We've ensured the repaired breachway will keep navigation safe, improve
water quality, and continue recreational and commercial uses for decades to
come. The Project marks a successful and historic investment in coastal
resilience and with this work, Ninigret Pond will be set up for years of
fueling the Blue Economy."
“The Charlestown Breachway represents much more than
infrastructure; it plays a vital role in connecting our coastal systems,
sustaining our economy, and bringing our community together,” said
Charlestown Town Administrator Jeffrey Allen. “With the structural
components of the project now complete, the Breachway restoration and Ninigret
Pond dredging have strengthened the area’s structural integrity, improved
coastal and land-based habitats, enhanced water conditions, and increased public
safety. Improved water circulation is expected to quickly support healthier
aquatic environments. Final touches, including sand fencing, dune grass
planting, and site restoration, are scheduled for this fall to further
integrate the area into its natural surroundings. This effort preserves
Charlestown’s coastal legacy while continuing to support the recreational and
economic resources that serve communities across Rhode Island.”
A coastal habitat restoration project is
ongoing at the Ninigret Barrier Beach located at East Beach in Charlestown, led by DEM
in partnership with Save The Bay. Invasive plants have changed natural sand
movement during storms, reducing open sand areas for wildlife habitat and beach
space for the public. By removing the invasive plants, the healthier dunes will
naturally protect the shoreline by allowing sand to move and rebuild during
storms.