LITTLE HARBOR FLOATING BREAKWATER - GUILFORD, CONNECTICUT 



Breakwater Type: Goodyear FTB 



Operational Life: The breakwater was constructed in 1977 and, after incurring 

 severe storm damage in 1978, was reconstructed in 1979. This second unit 

 was destroyed by a hurricane in that same year. 



Contact: Sarah W. Richards 



Little Harbor Laboratory 

 69 Andrews Road 

 Guilford, CT 06437 



Builder: Same as contact 



Operator: Same as contact 



Site Details 



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



level bottom composed of sand, silt and mud. Depth at mean low water is 

 3.7 m (12.0 ft). The tidal range is 1.8 m (6.0 ft). 



Exposure: The site is exposed from the southeast through the southwest with a 

 fetch of 56 km (30 nmi) . 



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

 the northeast or from the southeast through the southwest with speeds 

 between 45 km/hr (24 kn) and 65 km/hr (35 kn) . Storm waves are from 

 1.2 m (4.0 ft) to 1.5 m (5.0 ft) in height. Generally, such storms occur 

 from four to five times per year. 



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

 from the northeast or from the southeast through the southwest and will 

 reach 115 km/hr (62 kn) . Seas will be 1.8 m (6.0 ft) high. 



Currents: The maximum current speed at the site is 0.8 km/hr (0.4 kn) . 



Ice: Both stationary and flowing ice causes damage to the facility in the 

 winter. 



Breakwater Details 



Purpose: This breakwater protected an anchorage used by a marine research 

 laboratory in Guilford, Connecticut. This facility is operated 

 year round. The breakwater was in operation from March to December and 

 was stored inside the protected harbor when not in use. Two stone 

 breakwaters are also present at the site. 



Design Source: The builder utilized design literature from the University of 

 Rhode Island. 



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