possible flood adaptation strategies for catskill, ny
DESCRIPTION
Presented to the Catskill Waterfront Flooding Task Force in January, 2014. To learn more: http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/93950.htmlTRANSCRIPT
Possible Flood Adaptation Strategies for Catskill, NY
Catskill Waterfront Flooding Task ForceFebruary 27, 2014
Based on Urban Waterfront Adaptive Strategies by NYC Dept. of City Planning
Factors to Consider
Scale - parcel, reach, community
Timeframe - short (<2yrs), mid (2-10yrs), long (>10yrs)
Technical/regulatory feasibility - known, unknown
Environmental impact - positive, neutral, negative
Residual Risk >100 year storm – high, low
What: Using water-tight materials to resist water during
temporary submersion
Applicability: Buildings with water-resistant walls and foundations
in areas likely to experience only low level stillwater flooding
Example: Flood shield on commercial building
Dry Floodproofing
Dry Floodproofing
Factor Score Notes
Parcel
Short-term
Known FEMA encourages floodproofing
Neutral
High
Other
What: Structure designed or retrofitted to allow water to flow through with minimal
to no damage
Applicability: Buildings with floodable or portable first floor use, e.g., storage and
parking spaces
Example: Steelhouse
Restaurant and Clearwater
Home Port, Kingston, NY
Wet Floodproofing
Wet Floodproofing
Factor Score Notes
Parcel
Short-term
Known FEMA encourages floodproofing
Neutral
High
Other
What: Utilities relocated above flood elevation
Applicability: Structures with flexibility for
utility location
Example: Elevated air conditioner and
basement systems
Protect/elevate building systems
Protect/elevate building systems
Factor Score Notes
Parcel
Short-term
Known FEMA encourages floodproofing
Neutral
High
Other Relatively inexpensive
Elevate on piles
What: Raise a new or existing structure on piles or columns to reduce risk of wave action and flooding
Applicability: Detached, low-rise structures
Example: New Paltz, NY and New Orleans, LA
Elevate on piles
Factor Score Notes
Parcel, Reach
Short-term
Known FEMA encourages elevation
Neutral
High
Other Allows use to continue in near-term
What: Structure raised on fill above flood elevation
Applicability: Parcel with enough space
for elevation and access
Example: Piermont condominiums
Elevate on Fill
Elevate on Fill
Factor Score Notes
Parcel, Reach
Mid to Long-term Expensive
Known Challenging to permit in floodway
Negative to neutral Can affect habitat in shoreline areas and movement of water in floodway
High
Other Can affect neighboring properties
What: Structure built to float on the water during a flood
Applicability: Waterfront areas with lower risk of high energy wave action
Example: New Orleans, LA
Amphibious Structures
Amphibious Structures
Factor Score Notes
Parcel, Reach
Mid to Long-term
Unknown New technologies emerging (i.e. retrofit)
Negative to Neutral May affect shoreline habitat quality
Medium to High
Other Requires attention to long term access and infrastructure, may not meet insurance standards
What: Structure built to float on the water at all times
Applicability: Waterfront areas with lower risk of high energy wave action
Example: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Floating Structures
Floating Structures
Factor Score Notes
Parcel, Reach
Mid to Long-term
Unknown New technologies emerging
Negative to Neutral May affect shoreline habitat quality
Medium to High
Other Requires elevated or floating access and infrastructure
What: Elevating land and/or streets to bring structures above flood elevation
Applicability: Low-lying areas undergoing redevelopment/new infrastructure
Example: Overdiepse Polder, Netherlands
Elevation of land and streets
Elevation of land and streets
Factor Score Notes
Reach
Mid-term Significant investment
Known
Negative or neutral May have shoreline habitat impacts
High
Other
Waterfront parks and open space
What: Open spaces designed to buffer and potentially hold floodwater on site
Applicability: Areas suitable for parks and open space
Example: Riverwalk Park, Tarrytown and Iona Marsh
Waterfront parks and open space
Factor Score Notes
Parcel, Reach
Short-term
Known
Positive Habitat, water quality and stormwater benefits, if done carefully
Low
Other Allows for public access and recreational uses
What: Deployable walls that prevent floodwaters from passing
Applicability: Sheltered areas with low wave action
Example: Kampen, Netherlands
Deployable Floodwalls
Deployable Floodwalls
Factor Score Notes
Reach
Short to Mid-term
Known
Neutral
High Failure and overtopping
Other
Strategic relocation
What: Relocating existing or limiting new development in the highest risk areas
Applicability: Areas of low development and/or highest vulnerability
Example: Toronto, Canada and Staten Island, NY
Strategic Relocation
Factor Score Notes
Parcel, Reach, Community
Mid to Long-term Can be politically challenging
Known
Positive Provides for shoreline habitat and wetland migration
Low Greatest reduction in long-term risk
Other May require available upland sites for relocation of uses
What: Stone rubble or concrete block structures that dissipate wave energy and
prevent shoreline erosion
Applicability: Sloped shorelines that require
erosion protection but don’t require deep
water access. Vegetation can be added.
Example: Hudson River
Revetments
RevetmentsFactor Score Notes
Reach
Mid to Long-Term
Known Along much of Hudson River
Negative to Neutral Can have some ecological value with plantings
High Primary function is erosion control
Other Height adaptable. Must be combined with other features to reduce flood risk
Engineered Ecologically- Enhanced Shorelines
What: Shoreline treatment that provides erosion control, bank stabilization and
ecological value using natural features
Applicability: Shorelines with low wave action and slope
Example: OPRHP boat launch in Coxsackie
Factor Score Notes
Reach
Mid-term
Known New technologies emerging
Neutral to Positive Can improve shoreline habitat value
High Primary function is erosion control
Other Height adaptable, must be combined with other measures to reduce flood risk
Engineered Ecologically-Enhanced Shorelines
Bulkheads
What: Vertical walls that stabilize the shoreline, prevent erosion and protect from
low level flooding and wave action.
Applicability: Limited space, deep water access, existing hard shorelines, and
working waterfronts
Example: Hudson River, Town of Lloyd
Bulkheads
Factor Score Notes
Reach
Mid-term
Known Currently along Hudson
Negative Very limited habitat value
High Failure and overtopping
Other ~30 year lifespan, required for deep water access
What: Massive stone, rock or concrete walls built on the shoreline to resist wave action and flooding.
Applicability: Highly vulnerable developed areas
Example: Manhattan
Seawalls
Seawalls
Factor Score Notes
Reach
Mid to Long-term
Unknown
Negative Very limited habitat value
High Failure and overtopping
Other ~30 year lifespan, access and view of waterfront impacted
What: Earthen embankments at shoreline that protect large areas from flooding
Applicability: Areas with valuable assets and access to wide swath of shoreland for levee
Example: New Orleans, LA and Waal River, Netherlands
Levees/Dikes
Levees/Dikes
Factor Score Notes
Reach
Mid to Long-term Significant investment
Unknown May be challenging to permit
Negative to Neutral Depends on shoreline design
High Failure and overtopping
Other
What: New or restored tidal wetland that dissipates wave action and creates habitat
Applicability: Low-lying coastal areas
Example: Jamaica Bay, Queens
Constructed Wetlands
Constructed Wetlands
Factor Score Notes
Reach
Mid to Long-term
Unknown New technologies emerging
Neutral to Positive Can improve coastal habitat
High Not designed to reduce flood elevation
Other Must be combined with other measures to reduce flood risk
What: Offshore structures that reduce wave action
Applicability: Areas with shallow water and
strong foundation soils
Example: Brooklyn and Rondout Harbor, Kingston
Breakwaters Artificial Reefs
BreakwatersArtificial Reefs
Factor Score Notes
Reach
Mid to Long-term
Unknown May be challenging to permit
Neutral to Positive Some designs may enhance habitat
High Not designed to reduce flood elevation
Other Must be combined with other measures to reduce flood risk
What: Planted mats or structures that reduce wave action and can restore habitat and improve water quality
Applicability: Sheltered, shallow coastal areas with low wave energy
Example: Isle de Jean Charles, LA
Floating Islands
Floating Islands
Factor Score Notes
Reach
Mid to Long-term
Unknown May be challenging to permit
Unknown
High Not designed to reduce flood elevation
Other Must be combined with other measures to reduce flood riskRisk breaking loose in high wave action