Maintaining Coastal Infrastructure in Massachusetts: Approaches for Shoreline Management John S. Ramsey, P.E. Applied Coastal Research and Engineering,

Maintaining Coastal Infrastructure in Maintaining Coastal Infrastructure in Massachusetts: Approaches for Massachusetts: Approaches for

Shoreline ManagementShoreline Management

John S. Ramsey, P.E.John S. Ramsey, P.E.Applied Coastal Research and Engineering, Inc.Applied Coastal Research and Engineering, Inc.

How do manage our coastline?How do manage our coastline?

The influence of 380+ years of coastal development The influence of 380+ years of coastal development

What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?

What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?

Highest land Highest land feature at feature at

Winthrop Beach Winthrop Beach is the seawallis the seawall

What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?

What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?Historic Shoreline ArmoringHistoric Shoreline Armoring

What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?Historic Shoreline ArmoringHistoric Shoreline Armoring

What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?

What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?What Makes the Massachusetts Shoreline Unique?Influence of StormsInfluence of Storms

How do these factors influence long-term stability?How do these factors influence long-term stability?

Long-term Lowering of Beach Long-term Lowering of Beach

How do these factors influence structure design?How do these factors influence structure design?

Undersized Armor Undersized Armor

The Result… The Result… Emergency Emergency

RepairsRepairs

But this solution is only a “band-aid”But this solution is only a “band-aid”

Putting It All Together… Think Regionally Putting It All Together… Think Regionally

Understanding local coastal processes is criticalUnderstanding local coastal processes is critical Establish alternatives analysis criteria Establish alternatives analysis criteria Expectations need to be reasonableExpectations need to be reasonable Economic evaluation should consider design lifeEconomic evaluation should consider design life Realistic evaluation of environmental impacts Realistic evaluation of environmental impacts

Project GoalsProject Goals

““Solution to the Problem”Solution to the Problem”

• Project design appropriate for siteProject design appropriate for site define project purpose and needdefine project purpose and need define design expectationsdefine design expectations anticipate environmental constraintsanticipate environmental constraints evaluate short- and long-term economicsevaluate short- and long-term economics

How do these factors influence design?How do these factors influence design?

Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton

Point Point AllertonAllerton

Open Open AtlanticAtlantic

How do these factors influence design?How do these factors influence design?Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton

How do these factors influence design?How do these factors influence design?

Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton

How do these factors influence design?How do these factors influence design?

Increased Overtopping Rates Increased Overtopping Rates

How do these factors influence design?How do these factors influence design?

Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton

WIS Station 52WIS Station 52

100-Year Significant Wave Heights at Seawall Toe

Existing Profile 9.1 ft

2.5 Feet of Scour 10.4 ft

5.0 Feet of Scour 11.8 ft

How do these factors influence design?How do these factors influence design?Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton

Median Design Stone Weight

Existing Profile 12.5 tons

2.5 Feet of Scour 16.4 tons

5.0 Feet of Scour 20.9 tons

How do these factors influence design?How do these factors influence design?

Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton

How do these factors influence design?How do these factors influence design?

Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton Massachusetts Design Example - Point Allerton

Re-Establishing Regional Sediment SupplyRe-Establishing Regional Sediment SupplyMassachusetts Example – Revere Beach Massachusetts Example – Revere Beach

Re-Establishing Regional Sediment SupplyRe-Establishing Regional Sediment SupplyMassachusetts Example – Winthrop Beach Massachusetts Example – Winthrop Beach

Pre-NourishmentPre-Nourishment

Post-NourishmentPost-Nourishment

How Are Shorelines Managed Elsewhere?How Are Shorelines Managed Elsewhere?

U.S. East U.S. East CoastCoast

New JerseyNew Jersey

Other IssuesOther IssuesDefinition LSCSF Based on FEMA Definition LSCSF Based on FEMA

Other IssuesOther IssuesDefinition LSCSF Based on FEMA Definition LSCSF Based on FEMA

Other IssuesOther IssuesChelsea Example – Preliminary FIS MapsChelsea Example – Preliminary FIS Maps

Other IssuesOther IssuesRegional Relative Sea-Level Rise Regional Relative Sea-Level Rise

Massachusetts Subsidence -0.84 mm/yearMassachusetts Subsidence -0.84 mm/year

Other IssuesOther IssuesOgunquit– Flooding ExampleOgunquit– Flooding Example

Questions?Questions?

Applied Coastal Research and Applied Coastal Research and Engineering, Inc.Engineering, Inc.