Rep. McBride Highlights Federal Investment to Strengthen the Indian River Inlet Sand Bypass System

BETHANY BEACH, Del. - Today, Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-Del.) highlighted $600,000 in Community Project Funding she secured for the ongoing operation of the Indian River Inlet Sand Bypass System at Delaware Seashore State Park. The sand bypass system moves sand from the south side of the inlet to the north, helping counteract beach erosion, maintain navigability, enhance storm resilience, and protect critical transportation infrastructure, including Coastal Highway and the Charles W. Cullen Bridge.

"As the state with the lowest mean elevation in the country, we feel the impacts of the climate crisis and sea level rise every day-especially in our coastal communities," said Rep. McBride. "The federal investment we are celebrating today strengthens the longstanding federal-state partnership supporting the Inlet's Sand Bypass System and helps ensure we can continue to nourish our beaches and protect critical transportation infrastructure. I am proud to have delivered this funding, alongside Senators Coons and Blunt Rochester, to advance these vital efforts to strengthen our coastal resiliency and boost our coastal economy."

The Indian River Sand Bypass System, overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), is fully operational following a multi-year effort to upgrade the facility, including conversion to electric power and installation of new pumps. The system resumed operations earlier this year to move sand and maintain beach conditions at the inlet.

The federal funding secured by Rep. McBride will support continued operation of the system, helping ensure it can reliably move sand from the south side of the inlet to the north and maintain an average of 100,000 cubic yards of sand placement annually.

"The Indian River sand bypass system is a key part of Delaware's coastal protection. We are proud of the federal and state partnership that has gotten the system back up and running, and we thank Congresswoman McBride for championing its ongoing operation," said DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson. "Following the large-scale projects by DNREC and Corps in 2025 that put more than 700,000 cubic yards of dredged sand on the north side, the bypass system is designed to maintain the beach and dune system with an average of 100,000 or so cubic yards of sand each year. That will reduce storm damage risk and hopefully extend the interval before the next major nourishment project."

During the visit, McBride joined DNREC leadership and partners for a site tour of the facility and surrounding areas, including the north side of the inlet where future work is planned to address ongoing erosion. Participants emphasized the continued challenges posed by coastal storms, particularly in light of increased flooding along Coastal Highway and significant beach erosion experiencedlast October. The event underscored how federal resources can be leveraged to deliver tangible, community-driven results for Delawareans.

Additional background on the sand bypass system and its role in managing coastal erosion is available in DNREC's Outdoor Delawareonline magazine.

The Community Project Funding process is part of a year-long effort during which McBride's office reviewed applications for vital community projects across Delaware. Each Member of Congress was permitted to submit up to 15 requests to the House Committee on Appropriations for consideration. McBride secured funding for all 15 of her requests, totaling over $19 million, through the Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations process.

Photos from the visit can be found here.

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