What are more details of the problem at the Charlestown Breachway?
The Charlestown Breachway, constructed in 1954, has experienced significant damage from cumulative storm impacts over 71 years, with notable intensification over the past decade due to climate change and sea-level rise. Since Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, the dune system eroded landward by approximately 200 feet, exposing a vulnerable section of the structure not designed to endure water flow on both sides. Winter storms in December 2022 and three subsequent storms from December 2023 to January 2024 caused severe erosion, leading to a rapid reduction in the structure's elevation to zero feet above sea level. This failure allowed sediment to free flow into the channel, blocking navigation, impeding water flow, and harming the health of the adjacent ponds.
What improvements were made in October 2024?
As an emergency repair effort, the large gap in the west wall was closed by putting new boulders in place using heavy machinery. These boulders were industry certified and could not be donated by local entities. The repair took a 3-man team 7 days to complete and will serve as the inner structure for a future longer term repair.
What is the long-term solution for the Charlestown Breachway?
The town of Charlestown, in collaboration with DEM and CRMC, plans to implement long-term solutions contingent on funding availability. These include a permanent breachway repair designed to reduce the frequency of dredging, improve the overall safety of the breachway, and enhance the ecological health of the connected coastal pond by promoting better water flow through the channel and reducing sediment buildup. The proposed approach involves using the emergency repair as a foundation to raise the wall and extend it further back toward Elbow Beach. Additionally, Charlestown plans to construct two sand dunes parallel to the ocean to help mitigate the impact of high waves.
What is the status of the entire breachway, including the east wall? Any model or analysis of the breachway as a whole?
While the west wall displays more damage than the east wall, the entire breachway is being assessed to understand and prioritize repairs.
Is the east dune seeded?
No, the dune, which is managed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, sprouts grasses naturally.
What is the plan for the sand dunes? Where will they be placed?
The permanent restoration of the breachway will include constructing and planting two sand dunes parallel to the water to reduce wave force while still allowing foot travel. Additionally, a grant previously received by URI for modeling the New England coastline is being utilized to support this project. This grant is helping to model the design and plans being developed, providing critical insights to the Design and Engineering team to achieve the best possible final outcome. The modeling will inform all aspects of the project, including the optimal positioning and orientation of the sand dunes.
How secure is funding and what is the probability that this will be fully funded?
The state and Charlestown are collaborating on efforts to secure federal funds in 2025.
Has the October 2024 temporary repair already started to flush the pond out?
Yes, the pond is being flushed, which is helping to remove sedimentation and restore the depth of the channel. The channel directly between the east and west walls has returned to its approximate depth prior to the major damage, around 5 feet.
On the ocean side of the breachway, the Ebb Tidal Delta that had formed outside the structure has, for the most part, been removed. It now has a depth of 5 feet or greater and is very close to the conditions that existed prior to the damage.
Inside the breachway structure, adjacent to the area known as Elbow Beach, the Flood Tidal Delta still remains but is slowly dispersing. The depth of water in the vicinity of this delta has improved, and the channel through it has become more navigable. Continued flushing through the winter and spring is expected to result in further improvements, making the area somewhat safer by summer. While the Flood Tidal Delta is unlikely to fully return to its pre-storm condition, substantial improvements compared to last summer are anticipated.
Is the town planning on dredging soon?
Dredging is estimated to cost approximately $2 million, with the State and Charlestown identifying it as a priority. Currently, the basins are not yet full, and dredging typically occurs only when they reach capacity to maximize economic efficiency. Initiating dredging before completing the breachway restoration could risk sand prematurely returning to the channel and pond, increasing the overall cost of the project. Additionally, if dredging occurs without implementing the breachway repair due to funding shortages, the dredged material would be placed on the beach east of the breachway. This would result in the loss of valuable material needed for the restoration project, potentially delaying the larger effort and further increasing its total cost.
As the project progresses, the area is being continuously evaluated. Dredging is permissible under DEM and CRMC regulations only between November and April. Over the coming months, the Town, State, and project partners will closely monitor the area to determine the best course of action. This evaluation will account for various factors, including the overall restoration project, the need for materials to support beach and dune construction, the long-term sustainability of the project, the flushing of the pond and its impact on ecosystem health, navigation concerns, cost-benefit analysis, and, most importantly, public health and safety.
The dredging process typically requires two weeks of mobilization after hiring a contractor, followed by two to three weeks of dredging and an additional two weeks for cleanup. Any decision to proceed with dredging will be made with enough time to bid, hire, and complete the dredging project within the allowable dredging window, likely by mid-summer.
Who is responsible for the breachway?
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is the state agency responsible for the breachway, and Charlestown, as host municipality, collaborates with the state on maintenance efforts. The recent work to address breachway repairs has fostered momentum for the state and the town to continue to work closely together on future efforts to ensure the viability of the breachway.
