Decadal-scale impacts of a segmented, shore-parallel breakwater system

► Shoreline response to breakwaters and subsequent beach recharge has been examined. ► Recharge increased salient/tombolo size, thereby blocking longshore transport. ► Resultant bypassing lead to depleted breakwater and downdrift beaches. ► Shoreline change correlates with the type of coastal engineering and recharge history. ► Care needed when using recharge as a coastal management technique near breakwaters.