beach sand...
 

I've never added sand to my beach. Now would be a good time to add a little. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

maybe you care, maybe you don't (you should), but adding sand to a beach on a NH lake requires a NHDES permit...

here's a fact sheet: https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files...0-01/wb-18.pdf

I always buy bags of play sand hoping that's at least safe for the water. But I only need a dozen bags every spring.

I would think that Fall would be the worst time to add sand due to ice movement, winter winds. Every year my friend and I have to "relocate" his sand in the spring.

I am as concerned as anyone about health of the lake but beach sand from a local pit is cleaner than most sand that is already on your beach.I would just do it.

Does clean beach type sand hurt the lake in any way? I can't imagine it would.

Quikrete rip-rap, 60-lb bag
 

To keep the beach sand from washing down the gentle slope and onto the nearby lake floor with each incoming wave, you know what works good?

Line the lower edge of your sandy beach with a row of dark gray .... www.quikrete.com/productlines/riprap.asp ...... set half-way down into the old sand to create an esthetically natural looking lower border that keeps the sand from washing downward into the lake. Is very dark gray and looks like a line of dark gray granite stuck in the sand. It blends.

Price: about $4.50/60-lb bag, packaged in a biodegradable paper bag.

If by "beach sand", we are referring to "play sand"; it should be bank-run screened to fine sand with the organics removed and washed to the point that residual phosphorus no longer clings to the particles.

Just not sure where to get "play sand" in any sizeable quantities.
And not sure what the statutory restrictions are on it.

As mentioned there is a permit require to replenish sand on a beach, on any lake in New Hampshire. If I recall, once you secure it, it last for a few years...
The last time I knew someone that looked at this, it isn't a big deal......

As far as what sand to use, well that depends on how much you want to spend and how much you need. Most of the people with beaches that I know, get a permit and a bulk delivery, that allows them adequate sand to replenish for as long as the permit lasts....

With that said, I believe you are only allowed to add sand up to the high water mark.... so with the lake low doesn't really make any difference...

As a final not, doing it now, is not a good idea, most of it will simply wash away during the spring melt.... I would only replenish beach sand in the spring....

Ooo, even worse than I thought. I hope people will read this before adding more

Landscape Supply
 

Landscape Supply in Alton carries the best and whitest beach sand around. It’s called “white sand”. Most beach dwellers buy there!

Dan

There is sand and then there is sand.
Some sand from dirt contractors is full of weed seeds.

River sand is the best. If you can find it.