MILWAUKEE BREAKWATERS
Cathy Moe 12/21/01 CEE514
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Improvements


MILWAUKEE HARBOR

The USACE handles the annual maintenance and inspection for the Milwaukee Harbor breakwater and is currently studying the rehabilitation needs for these outer harbor structures. Further information will be available soon.

SOUTH SHORE

Four alternatives were by the USACE for improvements to the South Shore breakwater structure.

1) Rehabilitate existing breakwater structure
2) Remove the breakwater structure, provide shoreline revetment
3) Convert segmented breakwater to a continuous breakwater
4) No structural action

Alternative 1 was the USACE's recommended improvement strategy. Most wave energy is dissipated by the current structure despite its deteriorated state, so removing the existing structure would not be prudent. Restoring the existing structure to a level of 584 feet (7.2 feet above average IGLD 1955) with a slope of ½ would eliminate a majority of shoreline erosion. Erosion would still likely occur under storm conditions when water levels exceed the breakwater height, but waves would break over the structure, dissipating a portion of wave energy.



Converting the breakwater from a segmented structure to a continuous structure would not prevent a significantly larger amount of shoreline erosion. In addition, such a structure would likely cause water stagnation between the structure and the shore, decreasing water quality. Taking no action does not solve the problem of the deteriorated breakwaters.

The Milwaukee County Department of Public Works has earmarked money in the 2002 fiscal year budget for further South Shore breakwater rehabilitation planning including preliminary design and contract documents. An estimated budget for the entire project is just over $2 million.

The overall process for implementing a project of this magnitude is understandably complex. The initial feasibility analysis of alternatives produces a viable alternative for preliminary design. Governing bodies often provide regulatory guidance even during this phase. The preliminary design then provides the basis for a final design. The final design is evaluated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for impacts on fisheries, water quality, navigation, aesthetics, shoreline protection, and various other public interests. The DNR then issues permits before construction may begin.