STUART CAUSEWAY FLOATING BREAKWATER - MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA 



Breakwater Type: Goodyear FTB 



Operational Life: The breakwater was constructed in 1979 and, after incurring 

 severe storm damage, was reconstructed in 1980. This second unit sank in 

 that same year. 



Contact: James L. Garland 



Chief, Engineering Division 

 Jacksonville District 

 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

 P.O. Box 4970 

 Jacksonville, FL 32232 

 (904) 791-2204 



Builder: William R. Gehring 



Florida Institute of Technology 

 1707 Northeast Indian River Drive 

 Jensen Beach, FL 

 (305) 334-4200 33457 



Operator: Same as contact 



Site Details 



Water and Bottom Conditions: The structure was located in saltwater above a 



gently sloping bottom composed of sand. Depth at mean low water is 1.2 m 

 (4.0 ft). The tidal range is 0.4 m (1.2 ft). 



Exposure: The site is exposed from the southeast with a fetch of 4.2 km 

 (2.3 nmi) . 



Typical Storm Conditions: During a typical storm, prevailing winds are from 

 the southeast with speeds around 50 km/hr (27 kn) . Storm waves are 

 0.5 m (1.5 ft) high. On the average, such storms occur twice per month. 



Worst Storm Conditions: During a worst storm on an average year, winds will be 

 from the southeast and will reach 115 km/hr (62 kn) . Seas will be 

 0.6 m (2.0 ft) high. 



Ship Waves: Waves generated by passing boats represent a frequent problem to 

 the site and erode the shoreline. 



Breakwater Details 



Purpose: This breakwater was a shoreline erosion control demonstration project 

 conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Martin County, Florida. 



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