City of Cape Canaveral Makes History with Reef Arches to Protect Critical Coast Infrastructure

Ten 1,200-pound concrete Reef Arch units were recently installed in the Banana River Lagoon

BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA — The City of Cape Canaveral has made history as the first municipality in the United States to deploy Reef Arches, a state-of-the-art coastal protection technology, marking a major milestone in its climate resilience strategy.

Ten 1,200-pound concrete Reef Arch units were recently installed in the Banana River Lagoon to shield the City’s vital Water Reclamation Facility from coastal erosion and storm surge.

Positioned just offshore from the WRF’s Oxidation Ditch, which contains nearly 1.4 million gallons of wastewater, the arches are engineered to reduce wave energy while allowing unimpeded water flow.

Their open, honeycomb-like structure also supports habitat development and seagrass growth by letting sunlight penetrate to the bottom, enhancing the lagoon’s ecological health.

To further strengthen the shoreline, the City added 100 tons of granite riprap backed by a geotextile membrane behind the arches. All materials were precisely transported and placed using cranes and barges.

“This type of innovation is essential for safeguarding our infrastructure and preparing for stronger storms,” said Zachary Eichholz, the City’s Chief Resilience Manager.

The Reef Arches are a key component of a broader initiative to fortify the WRF’s shoreline, which was designated in 2023 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as critical infrastructure at risk.

A USACE-led feasibility study completed in July 2025 recommends a comprehensive shoreline hardening solution, including a ~30-foot-deep sheet pile wall, a coquina wave barrier, and native vegetation.

The full shoreline protection project is estimated to cost $13.6 million, with 65% of the funding provided by the federal government. The City’s $4.76 million contribution will be supported through State appropriations.

Construction is expected to begin within the next two to three years. The Reef Arches will be temporarily removed during this phase and reinstalled upon project completion.

View the video about the product and installation at the Cape Canaveral Public Works Facility.

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