1. Sebastian Inlet: Yesterday and Today
By,
Doug Piatkowski

2. Background Man made cut dividing Brevard and Indian River counties
Not federally maintained waterway
Maintained as navigable waterway for vessels

3. History :
- First recorded attempt in 1886 by Captain David O. Gibson by hand
- Too small scale to maintain a stable inlet
: Sebastian Inlet tax district – responsible for maintenance :
- Remained unstable
- Initial hard substrate protection (jetties and bulkhead)
- Closed by Northeaster

4. History
1948-present:
Inlet reopened: new channel dredged in NE/SW direction at $50,000 – tidal prism increase 2 X
1955: Jetty extensions completed
1970: Final extension completed ($560,000)
new
old

5. Inlet Effects Jetty Construction PROS: - Habitat for many fish species
- Large fishing attraction
- Sand bar and wave refraction – Surfing “First Peak”
- Monster hole – Ebb tidal delta

6. “First Peak”
“sick” barrells
Fishing
Refraction

7. Inlet Effects
CONS:
- Jetties prevent littoral drift from North to South
- Erosion of southern end (lawsuit)
- Inlet halting about 75,000 cubic yrds/year
- Constant maintenance necessary

8. Monster Hole Ebb Tidal Delta
Erosion of south end
Monster Hole Ebb Tidal Delta

9. Jetty Damage

10. Repair or Rebuild Jetty damage from storm events: “Halloween Swell”
Hurricane Floyd: close last 79 ft
Loosen foundation and rust rebar
$7 million: rebuild or repair north jetty:
Debate - maintenance and protection
Begin: summer 2001
Fourteen months to complete

11. References
Eager, W. 13 February Stuart News Company Press Journal. “Recalling the early days at Sebastian Inlet State Park.” Sports; Pg. B10.
Kaiser, M. 21 May Stuart News Company Press Journal. “A line in the wind.” Indian River County; Pg. A1.
Mehta, A.J., Wm. D. Adams, and C.P. Jones Sebastian Inlet: Glossary of Inlets Report #3. Sea Grant. Gainsville, FL. 52p.
Meseroll, D Eastern Surf Magazine. Right Coast Media, INC. Indialantic, FL. p.50.
Press Journal Staff. 11 June Stuart News Company Press Journal. “Inlet officials consider fate of jetty.” Indian River County; Pg. D6.
Robinson, D. 9 June Stuart News Company Press Journal. “Inlet’s jetty juncture: repair or replace?” Indian River County; Pg. A1.
Robinson, D. 26 January Stuart News Company Press Journal. “Study: wind, waves depositing sand south of inlet.” A section; Pg. A8.
Robinson, D. 26 January Stuart News Company Press Journal. “Report: inlet management plan has holes.” A section; Pg. A8.