North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Ruben Lowman
Horry County is doubling down on its commitment to coastal preservation as it prepares for the third consecutive year of its Manufactured Wire Reef (MWR) campaign.
This initiative, led by the Horry County Stormwater Department, uses low-tech, high-impact solutions to tackle the modern challenges of shoreline erosion and water quality in the coastal region’s sensitive marsh systems.
The program first took root in 2024 with the deployment of 200 wire baskets into Main Creek, located off Cypress Avenue in Garden City. The success of that initial phase led to a second round of 200 baskets in 2025, effectively expanding the reef’s footprint and its ability to filter the surrounding waters.
For the 2026 deployment scheduled for later this spring, the county is not just returning to familiar territory but is branching out.
While a portion of the new reefs will be placed in the Garden City marsh near Sanford D. Cox, Sr. Community Park, the project is also moving north to the Little River area. This expansion reflects county leaders’ growing confidence in the MWRs’ ability to serve as a foundation for marine ecosystems across multiple parts of the county.
The project is a collaborative effort that bridges the gap between state agencies and local education.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) provides the technical oversight, while the actual assembly of the units has become a hands-on learning experience for local youth.
Last week, the Loris High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter completed the assembly of the final baskets needed for the 2026 season.
These baskets are constructed using recycled oyster shells packed into wire frames. Once submerged, these shells provide a solid surface for live oyster larvae to attach to, eventually growing into a living, breathing reef that acts as a natural water filtration system.
The utility of these manufactured reefs is three-fold. Primarily, they act as a natural filter, as a single adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, which removes impurities and improving clarity in the Murrells Inlet and Little River ecosystems.
Beyond water quality, the reefs serve as a critical defense against the power of the tides. By breaking up wave energy before it hits the shore, the reefs significantly reduce the rate of marsh erosion.
Finally, they create complex habitats for a variety of marine life, including crabs, shrimp and small fish, which in turn supports the larger recreational and commercial fishing industries that are vital to the Grand Strand’s economy.
