Coastal managers need models to predict how barrier islands change over time. A new model called EDGR was created to forecast the growth of dunes on barrier islands. By using this model, researchers were able to accurately predict dune evolution on Dauphin Island after Hurricane Katrina. The model showed that some areas of the island were flooded for several years before dunes started to grow again. This model is efficient and can be used to quickly predict how dunes will change over time, helping to plan for coastal protection and habitat restoration projects.