Water level and shoreline position 



352. Although Lake Erie does not experience an astronomical tide, lake 

 levels vary because of short- and long-term climatic changes. During the 



5 -year monitoring period, the highest recorded monthly mean level was 4.9 ft 

 above low water datum (LWD) , and the lowest was 1.1 ft below LWD. (In 1986, a 

 new record high of 5.1 ft was established.) The greatest annual fluctuation 

 of monthly mean lake level was 2.75 ft, and a 1.5-ft surge was calculated to 

 have a recurrence interval of 1 year . 



353. Suggestions of sinuous topographic development were noted during 

 the process of placing the fill, indicating a strong tendency for the beach to 

 adjust to the wave and current pattern produced by the breakwaters. In the 



6 -month interval between construction in October 1977 and May 1978, the shore- 

 line shape matured, and after approximately 1 year the planform was in an 

 equilibrium shape with a salient behind each detached breakwater. Aerial 

 photography shows well-formed salients during the lower lake levels in fall; 

 these become partially submerged and subdued during higher lake levels in 

 spring. 



Wave climate 



354. A 3-year wave hindcast was performed by Saville (1953) for Cleve- 

 land, Ohio, located 28 miles east of the project site. With modifications for 

 differences in fetch and water depth, these data can be applied to Lorain. 



The average wave height and period in the hindcast are 1.5 ft and 4.7 sec. 

 The maximum annual wave height is close to 8 ft, with periods up to 7 sec. 

 For calculation of shoreline change, waves are assumed to transport sand only 

 during an ice -free period from 1 April through 30 November. 



Assembly of Data 



355. Appendix D contains printouts of the input data files used in the 

 initial testing of the model and in final calibration and verification. The 

 OUTPT files are also given. Appendix D can be consulted for specifics associ- 

 ated with the discussion of the case study. 



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