Kristina Boburka measures the durability and defenses of South Padre Island’s dune system as the city’s shoreline director.

The city of South Padre Island does annual surveys to assess beach erosion and the wear-and-tear of wind and waves inflicted on the dunes. Fortifying the barrier island’s natural defenses has become even more important in an era Boburka describes as being one of “rising seas and intensifying storms.”

The information gathered from the surveys and studies has gained even more importance in gauging the Island’s natural defenses.

“We have so much data,’’ Boburka said. “It’s amazing how much information we have about our beaches.”

She and SPI’s city government leaders knew the island needed beach nourishment and repair after an active 2020 tropical season. This included the landfall of Hurricane Hanna at nearby Port Mansfield. The city sought and secured a federal grant through the Texas General Land Office that will lead to the application of additional sand to the existing dune system. Wooden fencing will also go into place to capture sediment and build new dunes. 

“We want to make our Island more resilient,” Boburka said. 

A third element of the project is planting natural vegetation into the dunes, with roots extending out and connecting to stabilize the system. The city contracted with a North Carolina-based company, Coastal Transplants, that specializes in dune restoration. The $115,210 project began in November and is expected to be completed in early 2022. The work focuses on South Padre’s northern city limits and includes six sites over 18 acres.

“This Island has come so far,” Boburka said of beach restoration. “We’re very fortunate that we do have a very robust system.”