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Coastal Engineering and Geomorphology

Coastal communities everywhere are increasingly grappling with the need to balance societal needs, environmental preservation and the growing hazards and risks associated with climate change.  Many Alaskan coastal communities are increasingly vulnerable to threats from erosion and flooding. NHC provides strong coastal engineering and geomorphology services crucial for community safety and decision support. With over three decades of experience, NHC’s coastal engineering and geomorphology team specializes in addressing the complex challenges of coastal climate adaptation, particularly in remote northern locations, for both public and private sector clients.

Services Provided

 

Coastal Engineering

  • Coastal processes studies, comprehensive metocean conditions, and data analysis
  • Evaluation of dredging operations and sediment management
  • Coastal erosion mitigation and flood risk management
  • Shore restoration and protection design
  • Coastal/estuarine flooding, wave run‐up, storm surge, and sea level rise assessment
  • Numerical and physical modeling

Coastal Geomorphology and Oceanography

  • Nature‐based designs and habitat restoration
  • Climate change and sea level rise impacts
  • Field surveys
  • Historical change analysis
  • Sediment pathways and sediment budget analysis
  • Coastal geohazards
  • Dynamics of coastal inlets, barriers, bluffs, estuaries, deltas and beaches

 

Coastal Processes Modeling

  • Wave generation, refraction, diffraction, run‐up, and dissipation
  • Tsunami and long wave modelling and risk assessment
  • Ship‐generated waves
  • Wind/wave, water level and circulation modeling
  • Sediment transport and beach morphodynamics
  • Nearfield and farfield dispersion analysis

Relevant Experience

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FEMA Pacific Coast Mapping Study

Using FEMA’s recently adopted Pacific Coast Floodplain Mapping Guidelines, NHC produced new flood hazard mapping for over 50 miles of coastline in Juneau, Alaska. This was the first mapping project…
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Erik Rowland

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206.241.6000

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Seattle, WA

Metlakatla Shoreline Protection

Metlakatla is a community concentrated on the north shore of Venn Passage, located roughly 7.5 km northwest of Prince Rupert. The shoreline along this community is exposed to local wind…
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Grant Lamont

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604.980.6011

Contact Grant

Vancouver, BC

Sturgeon Banks Sediment Enhancement Pilot Project

NHC has been working on innovative solutions to marsh recession at the Sturgeons Bank Marsh since approximately 2010. Early work phases focused on understanding the processes across the estuary and…
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Grant Lamont

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604.980.6011

Contact Grant

Vancouver, BC

Green Shores Design Services Multiple Residential Sites Conceptual Designs

Working for the Stewardship Centre for British Columbia (SCBC) NHC developed a Green Shores design to enhance shoreline conditions for two communities: Qualicum Beach and Comox ValleyRegional District. The project…
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Grant Lamont

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604.980.6011

Contact Grant

Vancouver, BC

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