Overview
Two adjacent shoreline parks in Irvington, Scenic Hudson Park and Matthiesen Park, were compared in their ability to withstand storm events. While the shoreline at Scenic Hudson Park is engineered for shoreline protection using a variety of methods, including stone revetment, rip rap, and a steel bulkhead, Matthiessen Park’s shoreline is armored with an un-engineered stabilization method, comprised of concrete debris as well as mismatched and unsorted stone.
Lessons Learned
- Sites that are completely submerged during major storm events tend to sustain less damage, indicating that impacts of debris and ice may be more damaging than wave energy.
- Restoration sites with fully-developed root systems are much more likely to survive major storms, even in the winter when the plants are dormant.
- The thorough engineering design that was implemented at Scenic Hudson Park was a significant factor in the absence of damage to the structure. The shoreline design consisting of 7 different cross-sections that were unique to the portion of shoreline which they were intended to serve.
- Implementation of pre-storm precautionary measures can diminish damage to upland areas.
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