elevation of 5 feet above mean sea level adjacent to the sea wall and 

 a slope of 1 on 100 outward 220 feet to a berm crest at elevation 2.8 

 feet, thence 1 on 10 to the natural floor of the sound. Drainage out- 

 falls extend 2U8 feet from the seawall, discharging approximately on 

 the foreshore slope. Apparently little, if any, beach material has 

 been lost by erosion and no appreciable slope adjustments have occurred. 

 The advantage of the steeper foreshore slope (l on 10 as compared to 

 1 on 50 in the original project) is evident. . 



The hydraulic fill along the Harrison County sea wall has proven 

 effective as a means of sealing the curtain wall against escape of 

 sand backfill. Insufficient time has elapsed since its ccMnpletion, 

 however, to determine its resistance to erosion, particularly during 

 hurricanes or severe tropical disturbances. Cross sections should 

 be taken periodically, at least once a year and after all severe 

 storms, to determine the rate of erosion during all weather conditions. 

 Steps should be taken to replenish eroded areas as soon as they appear 

 in order that the beach may continue to function as a protective 

 measure for the sea wall. Planting of a suitable species of beach 

 shrub might be desirable to reduce loss of sand by wind action. 



The protective beach was justified on the basis of its value as 

 a large-scale recreational facility for general public use as well as 

 a means of prolonging the effective useful life of the sea wall and 

 adjacent transcontinental highway. Although no actual count has been 

 taken of the number of daily visitors to the beach, itd extensive use 

 has been noted by county officials and representatives of the Corps 

 of Engineers, The area is densely populated and is only a relatively 

 short distance from large urban centers such as New Orleans, Mobile, 

 and inland cities which have long been in need of the advantages 

 afforded by the new facility. The Mississippi coast has been an out- 

 standing seashore resort for many years and the creation of the 

 artificial beach has attracted many new visitors and encouraged sub- 

 stantial additional investments in hotels, tourist cottages, and other 

 recreational property. 



Acknowledgments 



The writers desire to express appreciation to Mr, Arthur MacArthur, 

 County Engineer, and Mr, J. K. Muether, Assistant County Engineer, 

 Harrison County, for furnishing much of the data analysed in this 

 paper. 



12. 



