CONCLUSIONS 



79. Prom the foregoing analyses of basic data and engineer- 

 ing studies made -with the assistance of the Waterwagrs Experiment 

 Station, Beach Erosion Board, Weather Bttreau and other agencies, 

 it is concluded that: 



a. Devastating tidal floods occvir in Narragansett Bay due 

 to its exposed location in the path of tropical hurricanes and 

 the peculiar physical features of the bay and approaches. 



b. The flood problem has become acute because of three 

 recent major hurricane floods. These took over 2$0 lives in 

 the bay and on the Rhode Island coast. A repetition of these 

 floods would cost about ^^22O,00O,O00. 



c. A future flood may exceed recent floods by three feet 

 and reach elevations up to 19 feet above mean sea level at 

 Providence. Total damages of ;|20U, 000,000 would result. 



d. The only practical means of protection is by tidal flood 

 barriers. Flood warnings, zoning and evacuation of flood areas 

 and local walls and dikes have limited application. 



e. Tidal flood barriers should be restricted to locations 

 in the Lower Bay or close to the headwaters. Barriers at inter- 

 mediate points would increase down-bay flooding. 



f . The most feasible plan of protection is the combination 

 of (1) a single barrier at the head of the Providence River (Fox 

 Point barrier), and (2) barriers, with navigation openings, across 

 the three entrances to the bay (Lower Bay barriers). 



g. The Fox Point barrier is urgently needed and shoiild 

 be constructed immediately. 



h. The Lower Bay barriers are needed to protect the bay as 

 a >riiole. They restrict the in and out movement of ocean tides 

 and affect: 



(1) Passage of naval vessels. 



(2) Water quality and flushing of pollutants. 



72 



