TURNING BASIN 18 FT DEEP 

 250 FT WIDE. 600 FT L ONG) 



UPSTREAM UMIT OF 

 FEDERAL PROJECT 



STEEL SHEET-PILE LINING 



WEST JETTY 

 I4O0 FT LONGI- 



'vo/tr. 



°*sout 



'AID 



CHANNEL 18 FT DEEP. 75 FT WIDE 

 1.925 FT LONG) 



Figure 2. Existing Nome Harbor Federal project 



An 823-m-long (2,700-ft-long) causeway, constructed in the mid-1980's, 

 extends into the Norton Sound west of the harbor entrance. It is a rubble-mound 

 structure that includes two vertical sheet-pile docks on the east side for vessel off- 

 loading and berthing. The facilities were designed and built for cargo and petroleum 

 vessels of 122 m (400 ft) in length and greater, and cruise ships that load and 

 unload passengers. The depth at the causeway outer dock facilities is about 6.3 m 

 (20 ft) and 4.3 m (14 ft) at the inner dock. A breach in the causeway, close to its 

 shoreward end, allows nearshore water flow for fish migration and shoreline 

 accessibility for small boats. The design depth through the breach is -2.4 m (-8 ft). 

 A 1997 field survey, however, indicated depth of about -0.76 m (-2.5 ft). A stone 

 revetment is located along the shoreline east of the existing harbor entrance. A 

 federally constructed 1,020-m-long (3,350-ft-long) revetment was completed in 

 195 1 to protect the shoreline from erosion. The State of Alaska constructed a 

 1,143 m (3,750 ft) eastern extension, which was completed in 1995. Figure 3 is an 

 aerial photo of Nome Harbor. 



Problems and Needs 



Maintenance requirements for the existing harbor facilities are high. Mainte- 

 nance is performed almost every year on the entrance jetties, the sheet-pile walls, 

 and the turning basin (dredging). The existing project is currently in dire need of 

 repair, with major rehabilitation required within the next year. In addition, vessel 

 damages are caused by the hydraulic characteristics of the current entrance channel. 

 Large waves propagate unimpeded through the channel, creating a significant 

 hazard to small craft. Larger vessels impact the sheet-pile walls at the sharp turn in 



Chapter 1 Introduction 



