29 Apr 2025

Tools for Inlet Geomorphic Mapping: An Overview and Application at East Pass, Florida and Fire Island Inlet, New York

Abstract: The purpose of this Coastal and Hydraulics Engineering Technical Note (CHETN) is to highlight emerging tools for inlet geomorphic mapping and describe the workflows used to implement the tools. The Coastal Inlets Research Program (CIRP) maintains the US Coastal Inlets Atlas, which houses technical information (e.g., physical processes, navigation channel position, federal authorization for management purposes) on tidal inlets. Future expansion of the Atlas should include ready-made products that address a call from coastal inlet managers and practitioners to map inlet geomorphic change and features more accurately. The methods and workflows demonstrated in this document represent the first step towards expanding the US Coastal Inlets Atlas.

21 Mar 2024

Pilot Project Using Tickler Chains in Lieu of Deflectors at Fire Island Inlet to Moriches Inlet, New York, Borrow Sites

Abstract: Risk for incidental take of sea turtles and sturgeon exists during hopper dredging operations throughout turtle and sturgeon habitats. Since 1992, draghead deflectors have been the main engineering tool used to minimize incidental hopper dredging takes of sea turtles and are also thought to reduce the chance of sturgeon impingement entrainment. Although reduced, turtle takes still happen annually, and the draghead deflectors reduce dredging productivity, increase fuel usage, and increase costs of operations. As such, there remains a need to research alternative turtle avoidance measures. The non-US dredging industry has used various versions of an engineering control called tickler chains (TC) in lieu of deflectors. If effective, TC could lower dredging costs and increase production in comparison to deflectors. This technical report describes a pilot study where TC were used in lieu of deflectors at Fire Island Inlet, New Y0rk. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time since the early 1990s that hopper-dredging has occurred without draghead deflectors along the east coast. No takes were recorded during the pilot study; however, no research was done to determine if sea turtles or sturgeon interacted with the TC. Recommendations for future TC research is provided in this technical report.