A seawall is a barrier designed to prevent erosion, flooding, or other types of damage or encroachment from a body of water. ... If you find that you are losing some land due to wave encroachment or that waves are causing damage to your land or structures, a seawall should be considered.

Why do I need a seawall?

A seawall provides something of a defense for canals and bays. Seawalls minimize the eroding impact of the ocean waves and reduce the waves' energy to protect the nearby land and its inhabitants. Essentially, seawalls redirect the waves back to the sea, curbing potential damage and erosion over time.

Why are sea walls bad?

They've been shown to disrupt the natural pattern of beach replenishment along the coast. Seawalls also speed up erosion on bluffs, putting adjacent ocean-front property at risk. According to the California Coastal Commission, about a third of Southern California beaches are armored with seawalls.