Financial reports for the Town of Cape Charles point to robust growth in almost every sector, however the town harbor continues lag, and has been a cause of concern for Councilman Bennett and Buchholz. While no one has been able to confirm any form of causal relationship which might be fueling the downturn, recent finger pointing has promoted the notion that adverse wave action created by prevailing south westerly winds off the tumultuous Chesapeake Bay is responsible for driving customers away. In comments, Bennett again promoted the idea of bringing in an outside management firm to take over harbor operations.
Town Council approved a new $28,000 wave study to hopefully pinpoint the cause of the harbor’s downward slide. The study would “recognize the three existing breakwaters and include a cost-benefit analysis of the various harbor protection alternatives.”
Langley & McDonald, which is already under contract with the town, has proposed a change order to the consulting contract with the Town for the new wave study. Council was briefed on this proposal at the Special Meeting of December 7, 2017.
Five alternatives will be evaluated. The addition of an additional southern breakwater as well as modifications to the existing jetty will be part of the study.
The Delft3D Modeling tool will be used for the wave study model.
SWAN is a third-generation wave model, developed at Delft University of Technology, that computes random, short-crested wind-generated waves in coastal regions and inland waters—this model will be used for the harbor study. SWAN is usually used when designing engineering structures such as breakwaters, storm surge barriers or levees–coastal engineers often need high-quality, detailed wave information as represented by the significant wave height, wave period and mean direction or the two-dimensional wave spectrum.
2016 USGS bathymetric data of the Chesapeake Bay will also be used.
A start date and time frame for the study has not been confirmed at this time.
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Uhh. It might help if they enforced the ‘no wake’ zone. There is an element in the harbor that thinks rules do not apply to them.
The definition of a no wake zone in VA is “as slow as a vessel can go without loosing steerage” a lot of vessels that utilize the harbor have single screw engines with lots of HP. In a lot of cases these vessels can not go any slower than 5 to 7 knots. If they pull their engines out of gear, they loose steerage. The biggest problem with wake is boaters feel they can pull off the throttle at the no wake buoy. When this is done, their wake passes them and creates a wake throughout the floating docks.
Has the Town Council considered contacting those who have left the CCTH and actually asking them why they left? I doubt it has much to do with the waves.
Before we go spending all this money I would Consult with the active members of the Cape Charles y Yacht Club.Who can point you in the right direction rather than Than Speculating with amateurism.
I was a recent slip holder and was subject to wave action, however mostly in the winter months, summer months are not nearly as bad. Has the city considered alocating half of those funds for effective advertising that is so “badly” needed. I’ve been told by town harbor employees, they have beg the appointed leaders for funds. Effective adervertising; properly designed ads show casing the marinas assets and the businesses in close proximity to the marina will bring the needed boating community. If you don’t effectively reach your audience, it doesn’t matter how much money you throw in the water.