Avalon Fishing Pier

Duck research pier unveils the CLARIS

The facility, established as part of the Army Corps of Engineers' Field Data Collection and Analysis Branch in 1977, is recognized around the world as a "cutting edge" coastal observatory and hydraulics laboratory. The facility includes a concrete and steel research pier. At 1,840 feet long, it is nearly twice as long as the newly-opened Jennette's Pier. It was designed to survive severe storm conditions and is equipped with steel tracks used to transport instruments. Some of the instruments are suspended from the pier; some have been placed on the sea bottom. After receiving her bachelor's degree in earth sciences at Dartmouth College, Brodie's fascination with the sea and its impact on coastal beaches led her to William and Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). It was there in 2006, while working on her Ph.D. in geological oceanography, that Brodie began working on development of the CLARIS with McNinch, then her Ph.D. adviser at VIMS. A specialist in coastal morphodynamics, Brodie explained that tracking, measuring and analyzing how waves interact with sandbars and the coastline was significantly limited before the CLARIS. "You had the 'before' picture and the 'after' picture," she said. "But we were in the dark as far as monitoring, measuring and analyzing the 'event' processes themselves - what actually occurred during a storm." "It's basically a snowcat, just like the ones used to travel over the snow at ski resorts and in the Antarctic," said Brodie. "We decided to go with tracks instead of wheels, so that we can go over any kind of debris and even straight up the face of a dune if we have to. It's capable of driving in four feet of water and being operated during a storm. We will take it out on the beach during a nor'easter or a category one or two hurricane. We would probably keep it stored away during a category four or five!" "This is standard marine radar," noted Brodie. "It's the same thing you would see on a fishing vessel. What makes it unique is that it is tuned to reflect off where the waves are breaking. This is called 'sea clutter' by mariners and fishermen. They turn this off, so they can focus on things like other boats, buoys and land. We turn this up so we can focus on the waves and measure, for instance, how the wave heights change as they come ashore.

Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report – 5.25.11 – Tough to ...

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks Beach, Surf, & Fishing Report for Wednesday, May 25, 2011.

This video was shot at 9:00 AM at the Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills.

The great summer-like weather continues. Another beauty today with sun, temps in the upper 80′s, and a light SW wind. This weather is going to stick with all the way through the weekend…and hopefully into next week. Tough to beat summer weather in May!

The light southwest wind is cleaning up a fun longboard wave very nicely. I was surprised to see how fun the wave is this morning. I wasn’t expecting much, but when I walked over the dunes, I saw consistent waist high, clean waves coming through…and almost no one in the water. Great day to get went and catch a some fun waves.

The OBX fishing is going strong. Very consistent reports offshore, near shore, piers, bridges, and the Sound. A wide variety of fish in the area – tuna, dolphin, cobia, blues, spanish mackerel, sea mullet, etc.

Unfortunately, not much out of the surf yet, but as the water continues to warm, the surf casting will continue to get better.

Have fun!

Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Outer Banks

For instance, Garry Oliver, who owns the Outer Banks Pier in South Nags Head, spent many a summer day at the Nags Head Fishing Pier when he was a lad. ...

Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Outer Banks

For instance, Garry Oliver, who owns the Outer Banks Pier in South Nags Head, spent many a summer day at the Nags Head Fishing Pier when he was a lad. ...

Travel North Carolina, Going Native in the Old North State

Fees are charged at the piers to fish or just to watch others reel in their catch; weekly and seasonal passes are available. Avalon Fishing Pier, at 2111 ...

A birder's guide to coastal North Carolina

Most of the piers are open from about late March to early December, and the Nags Head Fishing Pier is open all year. Unfortunately, none of the piers have ...

Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Outer Banks

For instance, Garry Oliver, who owns the Outer Banks Pier in South Nags Head, spent many a summer day at the Nags Head Fishing Pier when he was a lad. ...