Gravel Equilibrium Beach Design for Arresting Shore Erosion at Flathead Lake, Montana

by Steven L. Da Costa, CH2M Hill, Emeryville, United States,
Joseph L. Scott, CH2M Hill, Emeryville, United States,
David P. Simpson, CH2M Hill, Emeryville, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Engineering Practice

Abstract:

Erosion of the north shore of Flathead Lake, Montana, is caused by summer wind waves generated along a 22-mile fetch. The preferred method for arresting erosion there is a beach composed of gravel and cobbles designed to be in equilibrium with the high summer pool elevations and high summer wave heights. A 200-foot-long demonstration site was selected on the north shore for testing the dynamic equilibrium beach concept. Initially 1 cubic yard of well-graded gravel per linear foot of shoreline was placed. Gravel was placed on the site and graded to establish the beach face slope of 4.5 horizontal to 1 vertical. After one season 3 cubic yards of material per linear foot of shoreline was placed. The particle size of the facing material was increased to a gravel-cobble mixture. Preliminary results of monitoring indicate that guidelines presented by Pilarezyk and den Boer result in successful gravel beach design.

Subject Headings: Gravels | Wind waves | Erosion | Beach protection and nourishment | Lakes | Beaches | Water waves | Montana | United States

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