Integrated assessment of storm surge barrier systems under present and future climates and comparison to alternatives: a case study of Boston, USA

Paul Kirshen (), Mark Borrelli, Jarrett Byrnes, Robert Chen, Lucy Lockwood, Chris Watson, Kimberly Starbuck, Jack Wiggin, Allison Novelly, Kristin Uiterwyk, Kelli Thurson, Brett McMann, Carly Foster, Heather Sprague, Hugh J. Roberts, Kirk Bosma, Di Jin and Rebecca Herst
Additional contact information
Paul Kirshen: University of Massachusetts Boston
Mark Borrelli: University of Massachusetts Boston
Jarrett Byrnes: University of Massachusetts Boston
Robert Chen: University of Massachusetts Boston
Lucy Lockwood: University of Massachusetts Boston
Chris Watson: University of Massachusetts Boston
Kimberly Starbuck: University of Massachusetts Boston
Jack Wiggin: University of Massachusetts Boston
Allison Novelly: University of Massachusetts Boston
Kristin Uiterwyk: University of Massachusetts Boston
Kelli Thurson: Arcadis
Brett McMann: The Water Institute of the Gulf
Carly Foster: Arcadis
Heather Sprague: Arcadis
Hugh J. Roberts: The Water Institute of the Gulf
Kirk Bosma: Woods Hole Group
Di Jin: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Rebecca Herst: University of Massachusetts Boston

Climatic Change, 2020, vol. 162, issue 2, No 17, 445-464

Abstract: Abstract Large-scale barriers are a management option for present and increasing coastal storm flooding. The barriers have gates that are open most times except during storms. As an example of the assessment process for a barrier, an integrated assessment of two barrier options for the coastal city of Boston, located in the northeastern USA, is presented. The assessment also included a comparison to shore-based adaptation options such as elevated walkways, playing fields, and open space. While harbor-wide barriers in Boston could manage storm coastal flooding with perhaps minimal environmental impacts and moderate impacts on harbor users such as shipping, their cost-effectiveness is low. Their operational lives are limited by a rapidly increasing annual number of gate closures over time as sea level rises—placing considerable mechanical stresses on them. With low potential to adapt or adjust a barrier once it is in place, there are limited opportunities to respond to the uncertainties of climate change over time. The alternative of a wide spectrum of shore-based, district-level solutions using nature-based solutions located on the waterfront, however, has the potential for high cost-effectiveness and several key advantages. These solutions have the potential to incorporate multiple levels of protection, manage storm and tidal coastal flooding, provide flexibility and adaptability, offer co-benefits, endure for long operational lifetimes, and cause minimal impacts to the environment and harbor users.

Keywords: Storm surge barriers; Sea level rise; Boston; Nature-based solutions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s10584-020-02781-8

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