The Role of Coastal Engineering and Coastal Geomorphology in Designing Resilient Coastlines

Summary

Jessica Wilson and Grant Lamont, coastal engineers at Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, discuss the dynamic nature of coastlines and the evolution of coastal engineering. They highlight the shift from static shoreline structures to nature-based techniques that mimic local environments, supporting both ecological and human needs. The importance of a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating expertise from marine biology to landscape architecture, is emphasized. They also address the challenges of designing for high-energy shorelines and the increasing importance of considering sea level rise in future projects.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Coastlines are influenced by various natural factors including water, wind, sediment, vegetation, and wildlife, as well as human activities.
• 🏗️ Coastal engineering and geomorphology are disciplines focused on understanding and designing with these natural processes in mind.
• 👩‍💼 Jessica Wilson, a coastal engineer, began her career in coastal engineering through part-time work in numerical modeling of tidal currents and waves.
• 🌴 Wilson's master's research explored how gravel beaches are shaped by waves and the impact of coastal structures on these dynamics.
• 🏖️ Beach nourishment projects aim to enhance both recreational and ecological values of shorelines, adapting to sea level rise.
• 🛠️ Traditional engineering approaches often sought static shorelines, which can conflict with the dynamic natural environment, leading to issues like erosion and habitat degradation.
• 🌿 Nature-based techniques in coastal engineering aim to mimic local natural processes, allowing for sediment movement and dynamic adaptation to environmental changes.
• 🔧 Grant Lamont emphasizes the importance of physical and computer models in examining how coastal structures respond to storms and waves.
• 🌳 Multi-disciplinary approaches are increasingly recognized as crucial in coastal engineering, integrating expertise from marine biology, ecology, and landscape architecture.
• 🐟 Projects focused on enhancing salmon habitat, including salt marsh restoration and aquatic connectivity, are becoming more common.
• 🌍 The Green Shores principles are highlighted as a valuable consideration for any project, aiming to protect and enhance shoreline environments.

Q & A

What factors primarily shape coastlines?

Coastlines are shaped by the effects of water, winds, sediment, vegetation, wildlife, and human alterations.

What is the role of coastal engineering and coastal geomorphology?

Coastal engineering and coastal geomorphology focus on understanding the processes that shape coastlines and designing structures to accommodate them.

Who is Jessica Wilson and what is her profession?

Jessica Wilson is a coastal engineer at Northwest Hydraulic Consultants on Vancouver Island.

How did Jessica Wilson become interested in coastal engineering?

Jessica Wilson became interested in coastal engineering after a series of lucky encounters led her to a part-time position as a numerical modeling assistant, where she began modeling tidal currents and waves.

What was the focus of Jessica's master's degree?

Jessica's master's degree focused on studying how gravel beaches are shaped by waves and how implementing various structures can change those interactions.

What is the purpose of beach nourishment projects?

Beach nourishment projects aim to improve both recreational and ecological values of the shoreline, and they are designed to be raised in phases over many years to match the rate of sea level rise.

Why do traditional shoreline projects often fail to maintain a static shoreline?

Traditional shoreline projects often fail because they try to force a static condition on a very dynamic environment, which the natural system fights against, leading to increased wave-induced flooding, unexpected erosion, and habitat degradation.

What are nature-based techniques in coastal engineering?

Nature-based techniques in coastal engineering are approaches that support both environmental and human needs by mimicking processes and materials found in the local natural environment, allowing sediment to move and adapting dynamically to natural forces.

Who is Grant Lamont and what is his role at Northwest Hydraulic Consultants?

Grant Lamont is a coastal engineer and principal at Northwest Hydraulic Consultants.

What tools do coastal engineers use to evaluate shoreline designs?

Coastal engineers use physical models and computer simulations, such as wave models, to evaluate detailed shoreline designs and wave-structure interactions.

Why is a multi-disciplinary approach important in coastal engineering?

A multi-disciplinary approach is important in coastal engineering to ensure that projects account for shoreline habitat value and the ecological setting, working closely with marine biologists, shoreline ecology specialists, landscape architects, and planners.

What are the Green Shores principles and why are they important?

The Green Shores principles are guidelines worth considering on any project to enhance salmon habitat or protect against erosion. They are important for promoting sustainable shoreline management.

How does sea level rise impact shorelines and what does it require for their protection?

Sea level rise brings additional stresses to shorelines, requiring collaboration of professionals across disciplines to work together to protect them.