NUMERICAL MODELING OF SHINNECOCK INLET, NEW YORK, FOR COASTAL EROSION CONTROL SUPPORT AND INLET SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The Shinnecock Inlet on the south shore of Long Island, New York, has experienced chronical erosion at the down-drift beaches which require periodic nourishment to stabilize the local shoreline. The potential sand borrow site is selected outside the inlet with minimum impact to the natural bypass process at the inlet. Supported by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) District, New York, a numerical sediment transport modeling study is presently conducted to explore engineering solutions for the sand borrow area and structural alternatives to reduce the down-drift beach erosion. New field surveys have indicated a drastic decrease of sand outside inlet and along the adjacent coast. The modeling result shows a partial ebb shoal borrow area design without structural alternatives performs better together with the down-drift beach nourishment applications.