The shoreline of Jupiter Florida’s inlets are being eroded and as of Jan. 2025, a 16 million dollar project was put in place that aims to replenish the dunes by installing sea walls, mangroves and other resources to prevent further erosion.

“The Outstanding Natural Area(ONA) is losing approximately 7 feet of shoreline each year due to severe erosion, threatening the historic lighthouse structure and surrounding natural habitats,” The Bureau of Land Management, said.

In order to withstand the destruction erosion is creating, the Great American Outdoors Act funded $8.3 million, and the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) funded $7 million worth of construction fees to support the project.

The issue has had a profound impact on various niches, including the safety of those participating in maritime activities like surfing and boating, the ecosystem and Jupiter’s culture.

“I boat around 3 to 4 times a week, and I’ve noticed the erosion is causing more sand to build up in the water, so it becomes more shallow when you’re trying to traverse the channels,” Jackson Biggs, senior and Jupiter local, said.

The increase in erosion has been a notable issue for those who boat in the inlet. Build up of eroding material doesn’t just make navigation harder, it also changes how the water behaves and can lead to accidents.

“When the inlet is dredged, which is making the water deeper, waves don’t break as often, creating smaller waves that are more likely to create a collision with a sandbar and overall, you’re more likely to flip your boat,” Vance Weyandt, senior, said.

Ironically, as boaters struggle to navigate the area due to the erosion, experts say boats contribute to the initial erosion.

“When reflected wakes are included, boat wakes may account for up to 72% of the total wave energy at the study site and along more sheltered shorelines along the primary sailing line,” Lake and Reservoir Management 37.

An increase in boat traffic can eventually shift shorelines due to an artificial incline in the force of waves. As boats repel into the water, the speed of waves increase and bounce off structures or the coastline. This repeated action increases overall stress on the shore, accelerating erosion.

“In general, boat wakes have been shown to erode shorelines, scour the bottom of the shoreface, and decrease water clarity through turbulence,” Ocean and Coastal Management on Science Direct, said.

Not only is the erosion affecting the boaters and the shoreline, but it also affects the surfers who frequent this area.

“I’ve noticed the waves are breaking closer in, which limits the time we have to surf, since the shoreline is being pushed back by erosion,” Kinley Sandel, sophomore, said.

The erosion also weakens the mangrove habitats essential for the survival of many species.

“By backbone, she’s referring to ‘fish, birds, sharks, manatees,’ and other marine life directly benefiting from the mangroves. Panella says the mangroves act as nurseries for juvenile fish, filter water and clean out pollutants,” Mary Wozniak, Florida Weekly, said.

The mangrove ecosystem doesn’t just protect the wildlife it also stabilizes the shore by holding the soil in place.

“The area around the lighthouse is crucial to our inner ecosystem, so having sea walls and new vegetation to protect it from erosion is going to allow for more things to grow and improve overall biodiversity,” Mackenzie Shultz, junior and student in the Jupiter High Environmental and Research Academy(JERFSA), said.

Jupiter is combating this issue with its “living shoreline” methods, which focus on restoring the dunes by adding new mangroves and other species and using engineered structures like seawalls and rip-rap wave breaks to prevent further erosion. 

“The breakwaters are designed to reduce the energy from waves and tidal currents that have caused the shoreline to erode. The native limestone breakwaters will also provide valuable hardbottom habitat for fish and wildlife,” The Jupiter Inlet District said.

The Coastal Erosion project plays a vital role in preserving the shoreline, which is essential not only for protecting the ecosystem and boaters but also to safeguard the rich culture and history surrounding Jupiter. 

“The lighthouse has been a huge part of Florida history for such a long time, and the area around it is also so important,” Schultz said.

Standing for more than 160 years the Jupiter Inlet is more than navigation, it’s a symbol of Jupiter’s sense of community, culture and heritage so maintaining the land that it stands on is key.