Recession Rate Analyses

Accurate shoreline change rates covering large stretches of shoreline are important in establishing setback distances for environmentally safe construction.

Utilizing the FEPS (Flooding and Erosion Protection System), bluff recession over defined temporal periods can be calculated to determine proper location for structures. Figure 1 shows a stretch of shorleline in Allegan County Michigan. By analyzing wave energy during high water (wet) and low water (dry), we have been able to illustrate the diffent rates of recession associated with each. The figure shows the potential locations of the bluff tops 50-years into the future.

Figure 1 - Flood and Erosion Protection System