Tag Archives: Compo Beach jetty

We tend to think of the jetties at Compo Beach as strong, permanent, unyielding.

You know — rock solid.

The other day, alert “06880” reader Scott Smith took a walk by the cannon jetty — the one separating the main beach from South Beach. For more than 20 years, he’s admired those huge rectangular slabs of schist.

This time, he was surprised to see the rocks jumbled. “Humpty Dumpty-style,” he says.

One view of the jumbled rocks …

He wonders if that’s normal this time of year — the type of thing Kowalsky puts back together every spring — or if something else is happening.

… and another. (Photos/Scott Smith)

He checked with Google Maps, for an aerial view. To his surprise, the jumbled jetty has been there for a while:

(Photo courtesy Google Maps)

All of which got Scott wondering: What would happen if the jetty wasn’t there? Sure, the marina channel would fill in much more quickly — but wouldn’t there be much more sand on South Beach?

If you know what’s going on with the jetty, click “Comments” below. Inquiring minds want to know.