More than $1 million was spent on what's known as a living shoreline in parts of Neptune Township to help reduce flooding. The plan was put to test during the nor'easter and on Thursday, experts assessed what worked and what didn't.

Kennedy O'Brien enjoys a game of fetch with his dogs along the Shark River. His house received no damage from September's nor'easter.

"Their design was good, and we're fortunate for that and we're glad they did," said O'Brien.

That design is a complex million-dollar living shoreline consisting of 5,000 cubic yards of sand for dune and beach fill, newly planted dune grass and vegetation and marsh sill along the tidal zones.

"The added benefit is that it does provide additional resilience for larger storms like the one we experienced recently," said Zack Royle, the habitat restoration manager for the American Littoral Society.

South Riverside Drive saw a stark difference in storm effects. Photos taken during the storm show flooding in areas protected by the 2,000 feet of living shoreline, and higher flooding in areas that remain unprotected.

Belmar experienced major flooding along its unguarded shores.

"The wave action was significantly cut or reduced because of the living shoreline we have," said Neptune Township business administrator Jim Manning.

The nor'easter did leave a mark in Neptune Township, and it's estimated it will cost about $100,000 to bring the natural living shoreline back to the condition it was prior to the nor'easter. Most of that money will go to replacing lost sand.

Plans call for the living shoreline to be expanded to all South Riverside Drive by the marina district and eventually across the river in Belmar.

"Until you're tested during a storm that's when you know it in fact works and we were tested by the most recent nor'easter," said Neptune Township Mayor Kevin McMillan.

"It certainly is a comfort to know that the dunes will work, and if they're going to reenforce it, that reenforces us," said O'Brien.