Editor’s NOTE: Town of Edenton posted this notice about the “seawall” on Water Street to social media on Friday. Letter from Town Hall explains the reasons for the seawall — citing climate change, rising sea levels and erosion — before discussing the methods of construction.
Regarding the Seawall Extension Project
To Our Residents and Visitors,
The Town of Edenton wishes to provide clarity and context regarding the recent extension of the seawall along E. Water St (or commonly referred to as the Cannon Strip).
This project was undertaken as a proactive measure to address several critical concerns that have been growing in recent years, including shoreline erosion, wave over-wash, and the need to protect both public and private property in this area. With rising water levels and more frequent storm surges, our historic waterfront-one of Edenton’s most cherished assets-required additional infrastructure to ensure its long-term resilience.
The original seawall, a sloping wall design, has served the community for many years. However, as climate change and coastal hazards have intensified, it became necessary to extend the seawall to ensure continued protection.
The extension was designed to reflect a stepped wall structure, which provides improved stability, strength, and resistance to wave action and erosion. Combining these two styles represents a hybrid design that better addresses the current and future needs of our town’s waterfront.
The planning and design of the seawall extension were guided by the Town of Edenton Resilience Strategy, developed for Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) in partnership with the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management. This strategy was the result of over a year of coordinated work and community engagement, including the contributions of the Citizens Action Team (CAT)—a dedicated group of local residents who provided valuable insight, feedback, and perspective throughout the planning process.
From an engineering standpoint, the extension consists of two courses of block with a concrete cap. The structure is reinforced with ½-inch vertical rebar installed every six inches, anchored more than 8 inches deep with epoxy in the foundation, and further stabilized using ⅜-inch horizontal rebar to lock the entire structure in place. To ensure long-term durability and water resistance, the hollow voids within the block were completely filled with block grout, creating a solid, sealed barrier against future over-wash and erosion. All existing stormwater drainage features were retained or repaired.
The project received formal approval from the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA), which granted a Major Permit to allow the extension work to proceed in full compliance with environmental and coastal protection standards.
This extension represents the first improvement along this section of shoreline. Future improvements will include the addition of rip rap for enhanced erosion control, as well as the selection and planting of living shoreline plants to support local ecosystems and further stabilize the waterfront.
This effort reflects a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to protecting our community from the impacts of climate change and coastal hazards, while preserving the unique character of our waterfront. To learn more about this plan, please visit – Town of Edenton Resilient Coastal Communities Program.
We understand that questions have arisen during and after construction, and we want to assure our community that this project is part of a broader vision for a safer, more sustainable Edenton.
We appreciate the public’s interest and concern in how our town grows and adapts. Open communication is a vital part of our shared commitment to preserving the beauty, safety, and heritage of Edenton.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement.
If you have further questions about the seawall project or any other public works initiative, please contact:
Corey Gooden
Town Manager, Town of Edenton corey.gooden@edenton.nc.gov
