Hydrodynamic Modeling for Channel and Shoreline Stabilization at Rhodes Point, Smith Island, MD
Abstract
This report documents numerical wave and flow modeling for stabilizing a shallow draft navigation channel and adjacent shorelines at Rhodes Point, located on Smith Island, Maryland, in Chesapeake Bay. The U.S. Army Engineer District, Baltimore (CENAB), maintains the channel and is considering structures to protect the western entrance of the channel on Chesapeake Bay side to reduce erosion of shorelines by armoring and stabilizing the channel. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL), performed a numerical modeling study to develop preliminary structure design estimates by investigating the optimal location for the structures, and by determining how structures in the impacted areas would be affected by waves and hydrodynamics. Estimates of water levels, waves, currents, and morphology change in and around the channel and adjacent beaches were calculated for a relative comparison of no-project (Alternative-0) and two alternatives investigated, and for the preliminary structural design calculations. The Alternative-1with a shore-normal north jetty provided a significant reduction in waves and currents in the channel and along the shorelines, offering a cost-effective solution. Alternative-2 with two parallel jetties provided similar wave energy reduction in the channel and along the shorelines, but showed higher currents and erosional pockets developing in the channel which could undermine the stability of the jetties.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1022500
Entities
People
- Anthony A. Clark
- Lihwa Lin
- Thomas D. Laczo
- Zeki Demirbilek
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center