What are Bulkheads, Seawalls and Retaining Walls?
Bulkheads and Retaining Walls are, by definition, the same. Generally however, walls built along water are referred to as Bulkheads and walls built on dry land, often for terracing, are referred to as Retaining walls. Seawalls, bulkheads and other retaining structures are designed to provide a protective barrier which divides land and water. This can slow the erosion process by protecting the land from adverse weather and strong waves. Seawalls can contribute to a stable coastal property environment by preventing the water from coming closer to the property than is desired. This is a human intervention to natural processes, but can protect lands and homes from being destroyed or eventually falling into the ocean. The only downside is that these structures do not protect the beaches on the ocean side of them, but some measures can be taken to help decrease the depletion of the floor in front of them. Other erosion prevention steps can be taken along with the construction of seawalls suc
