has altered coastal processes in the region (U.S. Army Engineer Waterways 

 Experiment Station (USAEWES) 1991). Historical records indicated that the 

 rate of change of the mean high water line position seemed to correlate with 

 the time of completion of an inshore segment of the raised breakwater some- 

 time between 1895 and 1897. However, severe storms in 1898 and 1909 may 

 also have been major causes of the recorded shoreline recession. The study 

 suggested that the north breakwater's effect on the wave field contributed, to 

 some extent, to erosion of Camp Ellis Beach. Insufficient data existed, how- 

 ever, for making any conclusive statements about the breakwater modifica- 

 tion's impact on erosion because of a lack of hydrodynamic and littoral data. 

 The report indicated that the limit of the breakwater's influence on the wave 

 field extends to about 457 m (1,500 ft) north of the structure. There were no 

 conclusive links found between construction of the navigation project and 

 shoreline change north of the Camp Ellis area. 



Purpose of the Model Study 



At the request of the U.S. Anny Engineer Division (USAED), New 

 England (NED), a physical coastal hydraulic model investigation was initiated 

 by WES with the following goals: 



a. Study hydrodynamic conditions and qualitative sediment movement 

 patterns at the existing site for various incident wave conditions. 



b. Evaluate relative perfomiance of several improvement plans with regard 

 to their effectiveness in reducing erosion and providing a more stable 

 shoreline at the site. 



c. Develop remedial plans for the alleviation of undesirable conditions as 

 found necessary. 



d. Understand littoral processes at tlie site, and perforai a historical check 

 by reproducing historical bathymetric and structural conditions. 



Chapter 1 Introduction 



