Solutions

Dune Stabilization

Coastal and shoreline dunes are constantly subject to erosion from wind and waves. They’re also invaluable for stabilizing coastlines and protecting the structures and habitats behind them from harm.

However, human activity can exacerbate the effects of erosion on sand dunes. Therefore, dune stabilization methods are more important than ever. TrapBag® enables experts to stabilize dunes from within by providing a stable core.

Using TrapBag as Sand Dune Stabilization & Protection

TrapBag is an effective solution for stabilizing and protecting the cores of sand dunes so they’re available for future generations. The barriers are strong enough to support dunes of all sizes and provide a stable environment for the sand to stay in place.

Along with planting native dune grasses and other plants, TrapBag barriers protect dunes by giving them a stable anchoring point.

Sand Dune Stabilization Techniques with TrapBag

Installing TrapBag barriers inside the center of a sand dune gives the dune a safe, stable center that can slow down the erosion process or even stop it altogether. It’s also a relatively easy process that requires just a few overarching steps:

  • Uncover the sand dune: This will require some digging, ideally with an excavator or other heavy machinery.

  • Open the TrapBag packaging: TrapBag barriers come folded up on a pallet. Pull them out like an accordion and stretch them up to 50 linear feet per unit.

  • Place the barrier: Set the TrapBag barrier into the core of the sand dune.

  • Fill the cells: A team of three people with an excavator or skid steer can fill a TrapBag barrier within minutes with washed gravel or more sand.

  • Cover the barrier: Replace the sand back on top of the barrier to give the dune a more stabilized core, or add more sand from offshore to bolster its volume.

Who We Serve

TrapBag supports all types of industries for flood control, mudslide protection, and chemical spill protection. However, industries we work with to stabilize dune cores include:

Coastal engineering

Coastal engineering experts rely on sand dunes to stabilize their engineering projects along shorelines and coastlines. TrapBag helps ensure they have a stable medium for their projects along the coasts.

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Environmental protection services

Environmental conservation groups can use TrapBag dune core stabilization bags to stabilize coastal habitats and protect them from being washed away in storm surges and other severe weather events.

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Marine services

Marine service providers need sand dunes to provide a stable medium for installing piers and docks. TrapBags provide that level of stability for their work.

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How TrapBags Compare to:

Sand dune boardwalks or crosswalks make it easier for people to walk to beaches and shorelines without displacing the sand in a dune. They’re an ideal form of dune protection because they discourage people from walking directly on the dune, which in turn mitigates the amount of erosion due to foot traffic.

However, boardwalks aren’t very effective at preventing erosion from wave action or wind. This is why it’s important to ensure dunes have a way to stabilize their core in addition to protecting them from the outside. TrapBag offers a relatively easy solution for stabilizing sand dunes.

Sand fences can help fill gaps in dune ridges and prevent sand from being displaced. They also discourage people from walking on sand dunes that need to be restored. These fences are made of wood, plastic, or fabric, and are typically quite affordable.

However, they can also be unsightly and cause disruption along beaches and other natural areas. In many cases, they can also cause sand to build up or disappear unintentionally, or potentially get buried over time. Stabilizing the dunes from within can be a more effective way to restore them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

dunes

Why Choose TrapBag as a Dune Stabilization & Erosion Control Solution?

TrapBag started out as a flood control solution that improved on the design of traditional sandbag barriers during storm surges and other floods. However, it has since been used for everything from stormwater containment to mudslide diversion and dune core stabilization.

One 100-foot section of TrapBag barriers replaces roughly 8,000 sandbags, all while using 40% less material than their traditional counterparts. The cells in these barriers have a pentagonal shape with one sloped side, one vertical side, and a flat top for structural integrity. Because they provide reinforcement and strength from within, they’re an ideal way to strengthen sand dunes.

Our team of experts wants to help you keep your community and its environment safe. That’s why our team is here to help 24/7 across multiple countries and continents.