Sea Level Rise and Consequences for Navigable Coastal Inlets
Abstract
Global sea level is expected to rise over the next 100 years. Changes in sea level will alter the functioning of coastal inlet navigation channels and structures such as jetties designed to stabilize the channel and improve navigability. Threats to navigation at stabilized coastal inlets and intercoastal waterways caused by sea-level rise are identified and discussed. Concerns for navigation include jetty flanking (overwash on the shoreward terminus of the jetty); increased wave forces on the jetty trunk, possibly causing overwash and movement of armor stone; loss of capacity in subaerial dredged material placement sites; decrease in natural sand bypassing because of an effective increase in jetty length; decrease in clearance beneath bridges and overpasses; changes in patterns of channel shoaling; and increased landward migration of barrier islands. This paper discusses these phenomena and concludes with a recommendation for proactive assessment of coastal inlets with respect to sea level rise and potential consequences.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA508705
Entities
People
- Julie Dean Rosati
- Nicholas C. Kraus
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center