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Coastal Monitoring of the Wilmington Harbor Navigation Project
US Army Corps of Engineers,   Engineer Research and Development Center,
Coastal & Hydraulics Laboratory,   Wilmington District

Information
This web site describes the Coastal Monitoring Program associated with the Wilmington Harbor Deepening Project at the Cape Fear river.

Background of the Project
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) South Atlantic Division's Wilmington District (SAW) maintains a channel from the approach to the mouth of the Cape Fear River up to the Port of Wilmington (see location maps). Nearly $7 billion worth of goods are handled annually at the Port of Wilmington helping make North Carolina the 10th largest exporting state in the nation.

Shipping lines are constructing larger ships that increase efficiency and profitability. Studies by the USACE and the North Carolina State Ports Authority have shown that deepening the shipping channel four feet to a depth of 42 feet is essential to keeping current business and attracting new customers. The 42-foot depth will accommodate 90 percent of the world's shipping fleet and contribute $34 million annually in regional benefits at an annual estimated cost of $26 million. For more information click here for the Wilmington District's Harbor Deepening Project.


Monitoring the Project
As part of the navigation improvements under construction for the Wilmington Harbor Project, the ocean bar channel will be both deepened and realigned. Suitable littoral material dredged from the channel during initial construction and periodic maintenance will be placed on the adjacent beaches. The response of the beaches and nearshore to the project will be observed through long-term monitoring programs. The coastal monitoring program (see details by clicking the links to Monitoring Programs on the left) includes the following basic tasks:

Monitoring Tasks
  1. Offshore and beach profile surveys.
  2. Channel and ebb tide delta surveys.
  3. Operation of 4 directional wave gauges and current profiling meters.
  4. Channel entrance current measurements.
  5. Color aerial photography.
Access to the data products can be obtained by selecting the links under "Data", to the left, while near real-time wave and current conditions can be observered by selecting the appropriate gauge listed under "Real Time".
This web site was designed by Carl Miller (Coastal Monitoring Program Manager, USACE), created by Cliff Baron (Computer Specialist, USACE), and developed by Justin Vandever (Contract Student, Cornell University). Questions, comments, and suggestions should be directed to Mr. Miller at (252) 261-6840 ext. 240.
The findings in this world wide web site are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents. The contents of this world wide web site are not to be used for advertising or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. Use of material from this site should credit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research & Development Center.